A SCHEME to prevent convicted criminals from re-offending will be piloted in a borough this autumn.

Lewisham was chosen, along with Lambeth and Newham, to pilot the £5.5m Diamond Initiative scheme this autumn and is being jointly funded by the Met police, the Government and local authorities.

The scheme will see the police, the probation service and the council joining forces to help prevent convicted criminals from re-offending by providing help and support on issues such as housing and employment.

According to a Ministry of Justice spokesman, the scheme will target offenders who have served short term prison sentences for less serious crimes, such as minor drug offences, as these are the people most likely to re-offend.

Lewisham Council has welcomed the scheme and said the borough was chosen because it already has similar schemes in place which work closely with the police and probation service.

A council spokesman said: "Lewisham has demonstrated that it has a real commitment to working with residents who have offended to reduce the likelihood of re-offending in the future.

"Our approach will include providing support through community work, links to businesses, and helping to motivate and encourage people into education, training and employment."

The scheme will focus on just two wards in the borough, New Cross and Evelyn, because the council believes this will have the greatest impact.

Mayor of Lewisham Sir Steve Bullock has also pledged his support for the scheme and said: "The initiative will mean we can build on our already successful track record.

"We will also continue to strengthen links not only with our partnership agencies, such as the police and probation service, but with the wider community."

The pilot will run until the end of the financial year next spring and, if successful, may be extended for longer.