Hey, Someone Agrees With Me

I've said before that poor city boys in UK, the notorious yobs, need an organized pastime like Scouting if they are to break the habits of nihilism, boredom and apathy that makes them...well, yobs.

It looks as if someone in UK is giving my idea a try:

A scheme starting next week in south London will sent young criminals - arrested for robbery, burglary, assault or carrying a blade - on a three-month Scout camp.

If they complete the course, earning a series of badges for activities such as camping and hiking, a police caution will be scrapped and the offender will escape a conviction.

Police hope that offering "structured pastimes" will help the offenders achieve the principals of scouting - developing a code of behaviour and becoming responsible members of the community.

Sgt Richard Curran, of Croydon police, who is leading the project, said: "If they agree a timetable of activities kids can avoid a final warning. Each child will be taken on an individual basis. It is really designed for antisocial behaviour.

"We will look at the circumstances, their attitude to the crime they have committed, the risks and ask the child if they want to live that sort of life still. We would go back in three months' time and they would have to provide evidence that they have done this and that."

Mr Curran said that a child caught carrying a knife could be allowed on the scheme.

"It provides a long-term solution to the problems these kids have and changes their attitude," he said.

The programme also includes other adventuring organisations such as the Boys' Brigade, the Girl Guides and Army Cadets.

Of course, there are those who reject the idea out-of-hand:

Gill Hanson, 26, a mother of two, said: "It's all very well giving teenagers a chance, but in the end if they've committed a violent offence - especially if they are caught with a knife or assaulting someone - they should pay for it.

"How will they learn about the real world if they commit a serious offence and then get sent on a camping holiday with a bunch of other yobs?"

Another resident Simon Empson, 32, said: "What will they think of next? Scout badges for burglary, robbery, shoplifting, assault, GBH?

"If you get caught doing something wrong you should be punished, end of story. You should not be given the option to join the Scouts. Can you imagine what the other Scouts will think when a yob done for robbing an old lady turns up?"

At least someone is trying, damnit. You have to start somewhere.