COMMUNITIES across the Fylde are getting ready to tackle the root causes of juvenile crime.

Dozens of residents have already shown interest in volunteering for new youth offender panels in a bid to combat youth crime in Blackpool.

Each of the new panels will include at least two volunteer residents and a representative of Blackpool's Youth Offending Team.

They will be responsible for putting referral orders into action. These are given by magistrates to youngsters who plead guilty to a first offence which does not require a custodial sentence.

Youth offending team manager Steve Cook said: "Local people will take the lead in challenging young offenders to take responsibility for their actions and helping them change their behaviour.

"The panels will also give victims a chance to say how the crime has affected them and what might help to put things right."

The panels will run alongside other Fylde Coast initiatives which include closer collaboration between the police, social services and other agencies to combat juvenile nuisance.

Sergeant Steve Lawman of St Annes Police said an entire youth referral scheme was being trialled throughout the Fylde.

"It's all about trying to divert young people away from committing offences," he said.

"When children cause a nuisance the first step taken by the police is to send a letter to parents. Part of this is to draw it to the attention of the parents that children are causing a nuisance.

"The majority of parents probably would put their hand on their heart and say they thought their children were round at a friend's, and that they will speak to them."

He also added that parents can be held legally responsible for their children's behaviour if a parenting order is granted.

And he praised the youth panels' initiative. "It's about local people who can see about local issues. For example, would anybody in Blackpool be really bothered about youths skateboarding in St Annes Square? The answer is probably no, but a resident of St Annes would be. Localised panels can come up with solutions that are sustainable and will work."

Blackpool council leader Roy Fisher, who has responsibility for crime and disorder as part of the council's new cabinet system, said: "These panels will provide an important opportunity to nip offending in the bud at an early stage.

"It's a chance for local people who really care about their community to be part of the solution to youth crime in their neighbourhood."