The Prince of Wales is about to turn crime-buster with a new project to help steer youngsters from deprived backgrounds away from a life of crime.
The scheme, which is to be launched next spring by the Prince’s charity, the Prince’s Trust, will receive £50 million in funding from the British government. The money will be used to help 30,000 young people join work attachments, but organisers hope it could eventually provide places within the police and fire service or charities for up to 100,000 people. The project will also help recruits boost their literacy skills.
The Prince vowed two months ago to expand the Trust to include programmes to tackle urban deprivation, rural poverty and racial tension. Prince Charles proposed the scheme to Prime Minister Tony Blair at a private dinner at St James’s Palace in April. The project is specifically targeted at those aged between 16 and 25 who could find themselves on the wrong side of the law.
In similar Trust schemes, two-thirds of young people have gone on to find work, get further education or find training.
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