Former heroin addict in Hartlepool talks to BBC Tees

Neil Evers has turned his life around and is now working for Hartlepool Council

A former heroin addict from Hartlepool has told BBC Tees' Richard Edwards of his battle to beat the drug and steer clear of crime.

Neil Evers, 30, moved to the town to escape his old ways down the North East coast in Scarborough:

"I had no one to turn to there, there were reminders of heroin everywhere."

Neil's past meant that when he moved to Teesside he ticked all the boxes to become part of Hartlepool's Reduction of Re-offending Team.

I had no one to turn to, there were reminders of heroin everywhere Neil Evers

Breaking the law

As with huge numbers of addicts, Neil broke the law daily to get the money he needed to pay for his drugs.

Neil was an habitual shoplifter, the goods he stole sold on for a fraction of their retail value to raise the £20 to £100 he would spend on heroin every day.

When Neil moved to Teesside his case was handed to Hartlepool's Reduction of Re-offending Team.

The team, made up of police officers, staff from Safer Hartlepool Partnership and probation officers, target the relatively small number of people who are behind a large number of crimes.

Staff from probation and Safer Hartlepool run intensive sessions with the offender, getting them to confront their behaviour, challenge it and look for ways to change it.

Success story

Neil said the strong relationship he has built with his probation officer has been the key to the scheme working for him.

"Those sessions could be really hard, but getting on so well with my officer really helps," he said.

We're delighted for Neil, his success shows how well the scheme can work probation officer Gemma Mulpetre

Neil is a success story. He has begun his first job in years, is off drugs and is determined to keep it that way.

Gemma Mulpetre, a senior probation officer, said:

"We work hard to build up relationships with people then help them to understand their behaviour and the impact it has on the community.

"We're delighted for Neil, his success shows how well the scheme can work."

So far, Safer Hartlepool say the scheme has been working, with crime dropping by more than a fifth amongst the town's most prolific offenders.