Nagpur: In a proactive initiative to prevent crime at its roots, the Nagpur Police conducted a special counselling programme for juveniles and young adults who have no criminal records but were found in the company of known offenders and anti-social elements. The programme was held at Kapil Nagar Police Station under the guidance of Additional Commissioner of Police Vinita Sahu.

During the session, police officers urged the participants to continue their education, enrol in skill development courses and pursue legitimate employment. They also assured the youths of full support in building a positive future.

The counselling focused on the dangers of drug abuse, carrying weapons and maintaining links with criminal gangs. Explaining the long-term legal and social consequences of criminal involvement, Addl CP Sahu encouraged the participants to distance themselves from unlawful influences.

Addressing the gathering, Sahu said hardened criminals often prey on impressionable youths and juveniles because they are easier to manipulate and usually do not have previous criminal records.

“Habitual offenders frequently use these youngsters to execute crimes while they remain in the background. They lure them into offences such as violent assaults, extortion, drug trafficking and other illegal activities. Our aim is to identify vulnerable youths at an early stage, counsel them and guide them towards education, skill development and lawful careers before they become habitual offenders,” she said.

Sahu further said that under the leadership of Nagpur Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangre-Patil, the city police are adopting a two-pronged strategy—taking strict action against hardened criminals while simultaneously preventing the recruitment of youngsters into criminal networks.

“If we can intervene at the right time and stop youths and juveniles from entering the cycle of crime, we can significantly reduce future crime and weaken the support system of organised criminal gangs,” she added.

The initiative is part of the Nagpur Police’s broader preventive policing strategy aimed at steering vulnerable youngsters away from crime through guidance, counselling and rehabilitation, while dismantling the pipeline through which organised criminals recruit first-time offenders.