ST HELENS is one of only nine areas in the country chosen to pilot a new initiative aimed at stamping out youth crime.

It will see the establishment of youth offender teams bringing together social workers, police and probation officers as well as education and health staff. They will deliver programmes to make youngsters face up to their crimes and will aim to change the attitudes of young people involved in crime.

The scheme will also help to support parents who have difficulties controlling their children and will have the power to make parents attend counselling and guiding sessions.

It could also require parents to make sure their children attend school.

Child safety orders will protect children from becoming involved in crime by requiring them to be home at a certain time and to stay away from certain people or places.

And the news has been welcomed by St Helens North MP Dave Wattts and St Helens Council leader Mike Doyle.

Dave Watts said: "I am delighted St Helens has been chosen for this pilot scheme. I am very concerned about the high levels of youth crime in our community.

"I am delighted we have now been chosen to take part in this pilot scheme."

And Councillor Doyle said the move was "high profile recognition of the hard work by St Helens in its joint working with other agencies such as police, probation and the courts in formulating a social services system which already operates under the philosophy of the new Bill."

And he added: "The new Bill will ensure that young criminals face up to the consequences of their actions and the pilot schemes will build on this work. I am proud St Helens will be preparing the ground for national implementation of the new measures."

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