FORMER gang members from America are visiting the borough's estates to persuade youngsters to avoid a life of crime.

The To Reach Urban Communities Every (TRUCE) project hit the Priory and Beaumont Estates yesterday, rapping, singing, breakdancing and talking their way into the hearts and minds of young people living on the estates.

Organisers hope that youngsters will identify with the TRUCE performers, who all turned from a life of crime to Christianity.

They will follow up with visits to Oliver Road, Chingford Hall and Cathall estates during the rest of the month.

TRUCE co-ordinator for Waltham Forest Dez Brow , said that he thought the project was taking an innovative approach to dealing with anti-social behaviour, youth crime and the growing gang culture in Waltham Forest.

"We believe that by having the TRUCE team interacting with at-risk young people they can demonstrate that it's cool to turn away from crime and pursue positive and life-enhancing goals," he said.

The TRUCE team led similar outreach teams in cities across America and bringing them over here was the brainchild of Hackney police's Supt Leroy Logan.

The project will end with a large meeting at the Ocean in Hackney on July 27 hosted by the well known American Christian evangelist Nicky Cruz.

Mr Cruz was a member of the notorious New York gang the Mau Maus until his conversion in the 1950s.