Newham’s fire chief is urging businesses in the area to back a youth scheme designed to steer youngsters away from crime.

Wayne Brown, Borough Commander for Newham, wants businesses to follow the example of local volunteers who are investing their time to help run the Fire Brigade’s Community Fire Cadet course by contributing to the youth scheme.

The course is held at East Ham Fire Station on a Wednesday night between 6pm and 9pm and has up to 16 young people from the area who are looking to turn their lives around.

The course aims to steer them away from crime and get them back into education, training or employment. Successful cadets are awarded a BTEC in fire and rescue services in the community.

It costs around £30,000 with new courses needing an additional £12,000 to get the course up and running.

Businesses can sponsor the cost of one young person, around £2,000. External investment is vital for the scheme’s long term future, without which the Brigade says it would struggle to continue.

Wayne Brown said: “Our work with London’s young people over the years has reduced attacks on firefighters, brought communities together and installed key skills that help them in the job market. At this tough financial time however, we cannot do this on our own.

“We need some financial help from London’s small, medium and large businesses to invest London’s young people, getting them off the street and into work.”