A NEW police officer, tasked exclusively with preventing teenagers getting involved in crime, is to start work in North Lincolnshire.

The post, filled by PC Mick Tune, is a brand new role and Humberside Police is one of the first forces in the country to introduce it.

The 'youth diversionary officer' job has already been piloted in A-Division, North East Lincolnshire and after success there has been rolled out to this region.

Anti-social behaviour rates plummeted 24 per cent in two years within the areas A-Division's PC Paul Caswell works in.

In this region, PC Tune's key role will be involving youngsters in projects in a bid to deter them from anti-social behaviour.

He will work with other officials including North Lincolnshire Council and the Youth Offending Team, as well as liaising closely with the Police Respect team.

Chief Insp Simon Walker, who is leading the project, said: "This is a first for North Lincolnshire, and will see PC Tune working on partnership projects to find alternatives for teenagers on the streets of North Lincolnshire.

"Part of the role is liaising directly with teenagers about exactly what they want– the idea is to develop existing community projects and build new ones.

"The ultimate aim is to divert people away from the boredom that sometimes becomes anti-social behaviour."

PC Tune will mostly be working with teens who have not offended, but people picked up by the Respect project could be referred to him to help curb re-offending rates.

He said: "It's going to be vital we all work together and I really hope people in the community, business or individuals, will come forward and help to provide alternatives."

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