Schools and organisations working with young people were yesterday urged to do more to stop children at risk turning to a life of crime slipping through the net.

Youth crime costs Norfolk almost £50m a year, according to a new report to go before councillors, who are keen to cut the number of young offenders in the county.

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The number of under-18s in Norfolk identified as suspects or offenders in crimes surged by almost a fifth last year, new figures have revealed.

The number of under-18s in Norfolk identified as suspects or offenders in crimes surged by almost a fifth last year, new figures have revealed.

Responses to a recent anti-social behaviour survey show that although residents feel crime has dropped it is still an issue that needs further addressing:
Children’s Secretary Ed Balls and Schools Minister Vernon Coaker will today visit Limehouse Youth Centre in East London to highlight the Government’s progress in tackling anti-social behaviour and youth crime over the last two years in 69 priority areas. Ministers will also meet with young people and members of the community who have benefited from Government initiatives to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Other figures also show that:

Street based teams …

As part of a new initiative, Cambridge council is asking residents to suggest sites within the area that could benefit from maintenance or repair from youth offenders in the community:
People have until January 31 to nominate projects that allow young people, who have broken the law and been referred to the Youth Offending Service, to make good the harm they’ve caused. It is called the ‘Pick a Site, We’ll Put it Right’ initiative.
To be considered, the project has to benefit the community, not take paid work from anyone else and …

A new initiative in Halton will give residents a say in the punishments that offenders will receive:
The scheme, which is administered through youth offending teams and which applies to offenders aged 10-17-years-old, has been rolled out across the North West by justice secretary Jack Straw.
If the current trials prove successful the scheme will be introduced nationally next year.
The project aims to toughen up punishments for young offenders.