Axe for youth scheme that halved crime

A project which dramatically reduced youth crime is in danger of being scrapped due to lack of funds.

Today Nu-Gen founder Nathan Levy said his summer course for disadvantaged young people, due to start at the end of the month, was unlikely to go ahead because he had failed to find £31,000 from backers.

Last year around 125 youths, aged between 11 and 19, many of them young offenders, took part in summer activities and education in Redbridge.

Mr Levy, one of the Evening Standard's Influential Londoners, said it resulted in a 56 per cent drop in violent crime in the area.

He warned that the loss of the course would be "a recipe for disaster" for local youths. "They will be in danger, as well as a danger to the community. This gives them a positive outlook, discipline and a sense of belonging."

Mr Levy, 30, gave up a property career to become a youth mentor and a schools adviser on knife crime after his younger brother Robert was stabbed to death in 2004 in Hackney.

Nu-Gen's activities include sport, fashion design and music. It also offers advice on jobs and training.

Last year, the scheme was funded by a school which is unable to provide money this year. Redbridge council said it was "willing to meet the group to discuss funding sources".