PERSISTENT young offenders are being brought to justice more quickly than ever, police said today.

In 1997, the Government announced it was asking police forces to halve the 144 days it took from arrest to sentence within five years.

In Lancashire, this target was first hit in August 2001 and has been achieved in 21 months of out 23.

Today police said they were driving down the level further, with the process for young offenders' sentencing taking an average of 44 days this June, 53 days in May and 58 days in April.

Inspector John Clucas added: "The results are particularly gratifying because they are so far within the Government target.

"We are determined that young people who commit crime are brought to justice quickly, so that victims and local communities can move on and rebuild their lives."