Dozens of Bradford teenagers have been steered away from a potential life of crime thanks to a hard-hitting intervention scheme.

The Magic project targets 13 to 16-year-olds who are at risk of making the wrong choices in life and being influenced by a criminal lifestyle.

To get the message across, young people are shown the consequences of speeding, drugs and prank calls to emergency services. Role models from the worlds of business and sport demonstrate how, by making good life choices, they can have a bright future.

Some 48 people have benefited from the project since April and it is being rolled out to other areas of the city.

The project is run by the Consequences group and backed by West Yorkshire Police, Bradford Council and West Yorkshire Fire Service.

It was originally known as Manningham and Girling-ton Influencing Change when it was set up by reformed drug dealer Arfan Naseer, of Girlington, who, after serving a nine-year jail sentence, wanted to stop other young people from making the same mistakes.

Magic has gone on to win a national award for best social enterprise from the Institute of Financial Accountants.

This year, young people have been taking part in sessions in the Thornton, Allerton, Clayton and Fairweather Green areas.

Inspector Steve Dodds, of the Toller and Manningham Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “It doesn’t pull punches, it’s not a soft approach. It’s a case of ‘if you get into trouble this is what will happen’.”

The Council’s deputy leader, Councillor Imran Hussain (Lab, Toller), was involved in the project at the beginning.

He said: “It’s done wonders for people. Arfan Naseer is a real inspiration. He came out of prison and wanted to make a change and put something back into the community and it’s gone from strength to strength.