Secretary of State for Justice Chris Grayling met Tooting organisations helping ex-offenders.

To minimise the re-offending rate, charities and employers are trying new projects in Wandsworth to provide job opportunities to offenders from prisons including HMP Wandsworth and HMP Brixton.

Dan Watkins, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Tooting, invited Mr Grayling to an induction session for new recruits at Quadron Service’s yard on Tooting Common on Wednesday, March 4.

Quadron Services provides grounds maintenance services to Wandsworth Council and other local authorities.

Blue Sky sub-contracts from Quadron some of this work and recruits ex-offenders to deliver it, while also ensuring they are supervised, mentored and resettled once their six-month contract comes to an end.

Mr Grayling said: "Everyone here today should be proud of their efforts working in this challenging area. We can see the excellent results being achieved that are giving these young men the chance to lead a stable and independent life, free of crime."

Dan Watkins added: "I’m honoured to have been able to have been involved with these fantastic local groups, working so hard to turn the lives around for these men."