YOUNG people are turning their back on gang culture to seek a future with the police force thanks to help from a youth centre.

A dramatic success story was celebrated as six young people who were at risk of getting caught up in gang culture told community leaders and police that they had applied for careers in the Met.

The change has been wrought by the Active Change Foundation, based at the Al Badr halls, Lea Bridge Road, Leyton.

At the official launch of the foundation last Thursday, the young people spoke about the help they had received.

And from today, more young people will benefit with the opening of a drop-in centre at the halls from Monday to Friday, 10am to 10pm.

Hanif Qadir, founder of the ACF and a youth worker, has been working tirelessly with the young people in recent years.

He has personally helped to avert gang tensions and played a key role in organising the Defendin Da Hood conference which eased tensions between communities after the July 7 bombings.

Close links have been forged between young Asian people and the police, with regular meetings with officers from the Lea Bridge Safer Neighbourhoods team.

Chief Insp Ian Larnder and Safer Neighbourhoods officers were at the launch.

One of the young people who is in the final stages of the Met's recruitment programme, Mariam Hanif, spoke to the Guardian.

The 19-year-old said: "I was hanging around in the streets and I saw a lot of bad things. There are too many guns and knives. I have seen young Asian girls working as prostitutes.

"After seeing the work that Hanif does, I realised that I could change things too.

"I am much happier now. I go home early, and I have stopped hanging around with a few people."

Other young people who are submitting applications to the Met are Usman, Ruhgal, John Paul, Fazan and Gauran.

Mr Qadir said: "These are street kids who have really turned their lives around. I have seen them change their attitudes to the police after meeting the Safer Neighbourhoods team.

"I think they realise that there are some great opportunities. It's a choice between dangers on the street or a good job earning good money."

The launch of the ACF has not run smoothly after financial problems threatened to jeopardise the project.

Funding is still a major issue for Mr Qadir, who hopes to get support from official bodies, including the Muslim Council for Great Britain.

Further projects are being planned with workshops for young Asian girls by a female carpenter, and recruitment drives with the London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service.