Aspiring train driver makes special tube journey (From Harrow Times)

Stanmore teenager gets special ride on the Jubilee line thanks to Mothers Against Gangs, Harrow Police and Transport for London

2:30pm Friday 25th January 2013 in News By Emma Innes

A 17-year-old from Stanmore has been given the opportunity to take a special ride on the Jubilee line thanks to Harrow Police, Mothers Against Gangs and Transport for London.

Dhir Shah was taken for a ride in the cab of a tube train so that he could experience what it is like to be a train driver.

The opportunity came about because Dhir’s mother was concerned about him becoming increasingly withdrawn after pulling out of college.

Unable to get to the bottom of the problem and fearing he could be drawn into a criminal lifestyle, she contacted Mothers Against Gangs, a parents' group based at the Sangat Centre in Wealdstone.

The group agreed with Dhir’s mother to get in contact with PCs Sonia Ong and Mahesh Nandha from the Youth Offending Team at Harrow Police.

The officers met with Dhir and concluded that he was suffering low self-esteem after leaving college - and discovered that he had always wanted to be a train driver.

So PC Nandha contacted his friend Raj Kukadia, who works for TfL as a train driver, to ask if he would talk to Dhir.

Mr Kukadia went one step further and invited Dhir to ride in the cab with him so he could experience his chosen career first-hand.

Dhir said: "I really enjoyed the cab ride and my goal is to become a train driver. I would like to thank Raj for taking me with him."

PC Mahesh Nandha said: "When we met with Dhir, it was clear that he was suffering from low self-esteem and was unsure of his future.

“Although he wasn't involved in any criminal activity, his mother was worried that it was only a matter of time before this might be the case. 

“I am only too pleased that his mother contacted Mothers Against Gangs and we were in a position to be able to help him and his family."