Met officers scale peak in aid of youth group

Metropolitan Police officers were joined by children and teenagers as they hiked up the highest peak in South Wales, 10 times in a day, to raise funds for a youth group.

The fundraiser was in aid of Rise and Thrive, in Feltham, west London, which was founded by reformed criminal Darren Beecroft.

The Met has been working with the group since it was set up two years ago and said there had "definitely been a reduction in antisocial behaviour" in the area.

Beecroft, who spent time in jail, said the collaboration was “building that old community feel again".

Rise and Thrive was set up to provide a safe space and mentoring skills for young people, and diversion from crime.

Beecroft moved to a council estate in Feltham when he was a boy, having experienced childhood trauma and violence.

“I know the struggles that I had when I was 12 and I didn’t realise the baggage that I was carrying around with me from a young age,” he said.

“This area moulded me into something I never wanted to be and it stole my innocence.”

He lived a life of crime, was arrested on many occasions and imprisoned for burglary, before falling into addiction.

Beecroft acknowledges that he “hurt a lot of people” but realised he “had to take responsibility and accountability”.

Police have raised a total of £3,000 for the youth group through fundraising activities.

They previously took on the Three Peaks challenge, climbing Snowdon in Wales, Ben Nevis in Scotland and Scafell Pike in England's Lake District National Park.

They also staged an endurance event at Brentford FC where they pushed a vehicle around the grounds for 10km (6.2 miles) and did a 10-peak trek along the Brecon Beacons.

The latest challenge, scaling Pen Y Fan, was the first time children from the youth club joined in the challenge.

The money raised will help Beecroft and his team continue to run the youth club, which in turn has already helped community relations.

Acting Sgt Ed Griffiths said: “There’s definitely been a reduction in antisocial behaviour because the kids are learning and listening to what Darren and the other youth workers are teaching them.

"But also when we do have problems, the youth club are happy to come out on patrol with colleagues from the neighbourhood team, and they’re being able to identify young people who are getting into trouble and nipping it in the bud.”

Beecroft added: "I’m alive today to take opportunities and share these messages with these young people that have all had many different needs and many different difficulties and challenges - they’re open to criminal grooming, they’re open to all sorts of exploitation.

"To have people like us within the community gives people a chance - and hope - that change is possible.”