A family whose car was stolen and burnt out have benefited from the skills of the latest U-Turn course graduates. 

For the past 10 weeks a group of young people have taken part in U-Turn, a program which seeks to divert at-risk youth away from motor vehicle related crime.

It involves the participants taking part in an automotive training course in car maintenance and body work delivered in a workshop environment.

The young people have restored a donated car which they handed over to Audrey Peyper from the Hobart suburb of Claremont, whose car was stolen recently and destroyed by fire.

“This family’s only vehicle was stolen just before the birth of their daughter, and today’s graduation ceremony will hand back their transport and independence,” said the Minister for Children and Police and Emergency Management, Lin Thorp.

“The hard work of the latest U-Turn participants has gone some way to restoring a victim of crime’s faith in young people and the community,” said Ms Thorp.

“The U-Turn Course has provided the graduates with confidence, new skills and an understanding of the impact of motor vehicle crime on victims,” said the Acting Commissioner of Police, Darren Hine.

“The dedication and commitment of the U-Turn Mission Australia staff has helped to change the lives of scores of young people to divert them away from motor vehicle theft and other criminal behaviour,” said Mr Hine.

The U-Turn workshop is located in the Hobart suburb of Moonah, and a supported accommodation service is available to enable young people from other parts of the State to participate in the program. 

The program is delivered by Mission Australia, under contract to Tasmania Police, and is funded by the State Government.

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