Young people in Gateshead fight crime with fire / Xpress Digest, 31 October 2007
http://digbig.com/4twps
"A group of young people aged 11 to 17 have been taking part in a firefighting course to help tackle the risk factors that may lead a young person to offend. The Phoenix Project, organised jointly by Tyne and Wear Fire Brigade’s Arson Task Force and Gateshead Council, aims to engage with young people to reduce anti-social behaviour in the Gateshead area. Those taking part in the course were referred by the Youth Offending Team after being identified as being at risk of offending, are known offenders or need training or employment support. Over two days, the group visited three fire stations in the area and took part in practical exercises such as using the hose, search and rescue techniques in the training sewer complex at Tynemouth and putting out a fire."