A 'FAST TRACK' scheme to drastically reduce the length of time young offenders need to wait between being charged by police and appearing in court has been launched in St Helens.

Previously it used to take between four and six weeks to get a young person into court after being charged. In some instances it could take up to five months before the court appearance. Now it is happening in less than a week in St Helens, thanks to a partnership between the council, Merseyside Police, magistrates courts and the Crown Prosecution Service.

Once young people are in court all services such as the Youth Offending Team, courts, defence and prosecution, can work together to deal with them as quickly as possible.

Bob Smith, the council's Youth Offending Team Manager, says: "No parent would wait five months before deciding on a punishment for a child who did something wrong. Up until now that's what the justice system did with young offenders. It is important that young people see a direct link between what they did and the decision of the court to deal with the crime. These changes will ensure that the link is made."

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