Back Page: And this is what I do - PC Malcolm Spray, crimediversion, Connexions Nottinghamshire

As a police officer, how did you get involved with Connexions? I was working as a youth issues officer at Nottinghamshire Police, but I was seconded to Connexions last June. I will be working on crime-diversion initiatives, such as Positive Activities for Young People, until 2005.

What is the job all about? My main task is to work in partnership with education, social services, youth offending teams, crime- and disorder-reduction partnerships and other groups to look at youth provision and help manage the process. I don't have face-to-face input with young people, but our personal adviser programme works with around 70 young people who are at risk of crime. We have links with 26 voluntary organisations that we partly fund, including the youth service, social services, education, crime- and disorder-reduction partnerships.

We put on a range of activities for young people, including arts projects, outdoor activities, power boating and anti-crime workshops.

Are targets involved? We aim to involve 570 young people at risk of crime involvement. We are partly funded by the New Opportunities Fund, the Department for Education and Skills and the Home Office, and also receive in-kind support from Connexions. We hope that when an activity is put on it is not a one-off.

If a young person is interested in a project we try to fund their place, as well as signpost them. This has serious implications for their life skills.

What benefits does working as a policeman bring to the role? It is not just a police thing, but more of a multi-agency thing. I have experience of young people's perceptions of crime and my police background helps increase the public's confidence in the justice system as a whole.