Children as young as four are to be targeted in a bid to help steer them away from a life of crime.

Youngsters in Bradford Moor - which suffers the highest crime, has the most drug users and more families on benefit than anywhere else in the district - are to be helped as part of a £1.2 million boost.

Council bosses are preparing a bid to the Home Office under a national youth crime prevention scheme.

They have selected the Bradford Moor and Thornbury area because it tops the league of local social disadvantage, deprivation and criminal activity.

The money would be spent on steering children as young as four away from a life of crime.

If the multi-agency bid is successful the area would win £1.2 million in the first three years of a seven-year programme. The council, health authorities and other partners would be expected to absorb the costs for the rest of the period.

"The Bradford Moor and Thornbury area has been chosen because we believe this project would make the biggest impact in this area," said Councillor Ralph Berry, executive member for Building Communities.

"The aim is to provide extra help and support for children in areas of high deprivation. It's vital we become involved with these vulnerable young people at a very early stage so they are offered positive and appealing options, which could prevent them getting into trouble.

"By working with families in their homes and through schools and local organisations, we will be encouraging positive learning and involvement in community based activities."

Children aged four to 12 and their families would be targeted under the programme with the aim of reducing youth crime.

The Bradford Moor area was selected to be the focus of the bid due to its levels of deprivation:

Highest level of criminal activity in the district

Second highest entitlement to free school meals and school absence running at 16.6 per cent

Highest level of unemployed school leavers

Highest level of households on benefits and highest number of drug users

Members of Bradford Coun-cil's ruling executive will be asked to give their formal backing to the bid tonight.

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