Prison officers, police, and former offenders spent a day educating students at Newham College about the realities of a life of crime.

Around 270 teenagers aged 16 to 19 took part in workshops at the college’s Stratford Campus on May 16 with charity Prison Me No-Way!, Serco, and Newham Action Against Domestic Violence.

The students experienced what it was like to sit in a replica jail cell constructed in a van, took part in role plays and group discussions, and received guidance from experts.

George Melvin, manager of literacy courses who dubbed the event “Leaders of Tomorrow”, said: “This is not just about young people avoiding jail sentences.

“It’s more so about encouraging them to lead their peers away from crime and to open their eyes to the close relation between actions and consequences in life.

“By giving them tools to beat crime and encouraging personal development, they can show other young people that law breaking is not a good option.”