Breaking The Offending Cycle

A mini Olympics has been held in Torbay as part of a scheme to break the behavioural cycle of offenders in Devon and Cornwall. 

The Turn Around Integrated Offender Management (IOM) scheme helps offenders turn their lives around from drugs, alcohol, homelessness and criminal activities, and helps them get into work. 

It helps a wide range of offenders, particularly those who have repeated short term sentences of less than 12 months. 

As part of the IOM community work; police, partner agencies and offenders pitted their sporting skills against each other. 

The event opened with a local Olympic torch bearer to bring the spirit of London 2012 before the games get underway. 

LISTEN HERE: Gemma Mullins reports from the games

Teams will then compete for medals in a range of events including football, volleyball and track, a tug-of-war contest, as well as fun events such as egg and spoon and sack races, and a toilet roll relay. 

The event has been generously supported by local businesses and organisations, including Torre Trophies in Torquay, Tesco at Lee Mill, Torbay Council, Plymouth Garden Centre and Friary Mill Bakery, Plymouth. 

It is being held in partnership with the Leonard Stocks Centre and the Jatis Housing Project, and equipment has been loaned by EF Language and Travel and Torquay United Community Football.