£350,000 to help tackle youth crime

Tackling youth crime in Rochdale has received a vital boost after being handed £350,000 to help clear-up antisocial behaviour, make schools and communities safer and provide support for young people and families who want to turn their lives around.

The money will be used to implement and fund seven core activities this year that have been successfully trialled across the North West over the last 10 months.

These activities include:

After school patrols to prevent youth crime and antisocial behaviour.

Operation Staysafe - using safeguarding powers to take children off the streets at night and return them to a safe place. 

Street Based Youth Teams - engaging young people hanging around, Youth Offending Team workers in custody suites to identify and address young offenders' needs early on and help keep them on the right track.

Pay back work in leisure time (including Friday and Saturday nights) - making young offenders feel the consequences of their behaviour. Also, greater community involvement in identifying pay back work and more feedback to communities on the work that has been completed.

Family Intervention Projects - intensive and persistent support for 'chaotic' families with children at risk of committing crime/ASB.

Think Family - providing a framework for adults and children's services to work together to improve identification and support to families at risk.

Home Office Minister Alan Campbell said: "We know that the vast majority of young people make a positive contribution to society. However, there are a minority who persist in antisocial behaviour and some in more serious criminal activity - their behaviour will not be tolerated.

"This funding is crucial in our fight against youth crime, both in terms of preventing young people turning to crime and protecting young people becoming victims of crime. Early indications show we are having real success up and down the country with YCAP improving lives and communities.

"But we are not complacent. There is still much work to be done and I am committed to ensuring our young people and communities are on the right track and our streets remain safe for everyone."

Children and Young People's Minister Dawn Primarolo said: "We are committed to doing everything we can to prevent young people from getting involved in risky behaviour, to improve their life chances and help them become valued members of their communities.

"Initiatives such as Family Intervention Projects are leading the way in tackling the root causes of antisocial behaviour and youth crime. They tackle problematic, antisocial families and nip problems in the bud before they have an effect on young people, helping them to receive the best start in life.

"The next instalment of funding will provide timely relief and resources to help areas to continue their efforts and hard work in getting rid of nuisance behaviour."

Justice Minister Maria Eagle said: "There are fewer first time young offenders, re-offending rates are decreasing and the chances of being a victim of crime are the lowest since records began.

"These successes reflect our investment in the youth justice system and the significant reforms we have implemented over the past twelve years, but we are determined to do more.

"This Youth Crime Action Plan funding means we can maintain our fight against youth crime and make our communities safer."