A DURHAM Police project which aims to reduce reoffending has been nominated for a national award.

Checkpoint offers people within the criminal justice process an alternative to prosecution by encouraging them to voluntarily engage with services provided by a number of agencies instead of going to court.

The aim is to address the underlying causes of their offending, hopefully in order to reduce any reoffending and the number of victims of crime.

Checkpoint has been nominated among dozens of projects from across the UK for the Howard League for Penal Reform’s Community Awards.

The awards will be presented at the charity’s conference in London next Wednesday (November 30).

Catryn Yousefi, from the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “Evidence shows that projects which help to keep people out of the criminal justice system, by providing alternative, proportionate, effective and targeted interventions, will reduce the risk of reoffending.

“The very best schemes in the UK are honoured in the Community Awards every year and I am delighted that these projects have made the shortlist.”