Barnardo's bids to address surge in girls' gang offences

The YouTurn project will work intensively with young people, both girls and boys, their families and schools, in three London boroughs - Croydon, Lambeth, and Southwark. 

Lambeth has experienced a 51 per cent rise in the number of young girls committing offences between 2012 and 2014, with Croydon seeing a 32 per cent rise over the same period.

The three-year initiative, backed by £360,000 of Big Lottery Fund money involves a six-week programme for parents and families as well as six months of weekly one-to-one support for young people at risk of crime.

In addition, the charity's workers will go into schools in areas affected by crime to work with pupils, staff and families.

Lynn Gradwell, director of Barnardo's in London, said: "It's all too easy for teenagers and even younger children to become embroiled in activity which puts themselves and others at risk.

"Just a few poor decisions can lead to a chain of events from which both boys and girls find it very hard to escape.

"We're confident that the project will have a positive impact on the lives of many young people, helping them to make better and safer life choices over the long term."

Big Lottery Fund chief executive Dawn Austwick added: "Thanks to National Lottery players, young people across London will benefit from life-changing guidance and coaching, which will help steer them into education, employment and a rewarding future."