YOUNG offenders could be brought face-to-face with the victims of their crimes as part of a new 12-month 'fast track to justice' initiative launched by St Helens Council.

The proposals, which put a greater emphasis on parents taking more responsibility for their children, are part of a six-point strategy outlined in the council's Youth Justice Plan for the coming year.

Another idea is to confront young offenders with the consequences of their crimes by taking them to Whiston Hospital's Accident and Emergency unit, where they can see, first-hand, the injuries and misery caused from joy-riding and other offences.

Other points include swift administration of justice, punishment to fit the crime, tackling risk factors to help stop youngsters offending or re-offending and more help for victims of crime carried out by young people.

St Helens is also one of the first Youth Offending Teams in the country to bring in electronic assessments of offenders which enables speedy targeting of specific youth problems.

The strategy has been drawn up by the council's Youth Offending Team in partnership with Merseyside Police, the Probation Service and the local Heath Authority in a bid to reduce crime, improve health, reduce drug use and improve educational standards.

The move follows new statistics which show that St Helens is leading the way in speeding up justice for young people and has halved the time from arrest to sentence from 142 days to below 71 -- the best performing area on Merseyside.

High on the agenda for the year is targeting car crime and youth disorder.