The LIFE Project aims to reduce anti-social behaviour, particularly where it is fire or arson related, by engaging young people from the local community in an intensive five-day work experience course.

During the five days, each young person, or student, is given personal responsibility for the management of the fire engine, its firefighting equipment and their own personal protective equipment.

One firefighter works with two teenagers, meaning that trust can be established and each young person receives a high level of attention and encouragement.

The LIFE Project was started in Tower Hamlets, London, primarily as a way of improving community relations and reducing anti-social behaviour directed at firefighters carrying out their operational duties.

The local fire service adopted the scheme in a bid to make our communities safer and reduce the risk of fire, noting that vandalism often involves fire-setting. Statistics show that almost half of all crime is committed by young people between the ages of 13 and 21.

The LIFE Project has completed two courses locally now – the first was in April 2006 and the second in October 2006 – with 28 local young people participating in the project. These were referred from local agencies, such as the Safer Hastings Partnership’s Anti-Social Behaviour Unit, the Youth Offending Team and others.