3:00am Tuesday 16th September 2008
By Anika Bourley
Bradford Council is set to claim a share of a multi-million pound fund to tackle the growing problem of youth crime.
Council chiefs will be handed £700,000 over the next three years with an immediate £90,000 injection if they agree to an “intensive package” of measures which could include more afterschool patrols and streetbased teams.
Bradford is one of 69 areas that will be given cash to be used for early intervention programmes and “tough enforcement” schemes, ministers say.
The Home Office say the cash will build on excellent work already under way in different parts of the country and measures will include: l using safeguarding laws to remove young people at risk from the streets at night l street-based teams of youth workers and former gang members to tackle groups of young people involved in crime and disorder l increased visible police patrols during after-school hours l providing positive activities for young people l placing youth offending team workers in police stations so that young offenders can be dealt with and directed to the most appropriate service at the earliest opportunity.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: “I know the vast majority of young people are on the right track but there is a minority whose behaviour causes disruption to their communities. I want young people to be able to fulfil their full potential but that means intervening as early as possible to prevent offending and to ensure that unacceptable behaviour is tackled effectively.
“There is not an either/or option in tackling youth crime: we need both tough enforcement and effective preventative measures to drive down youth crime and anti-social behaviour.
“The money we are investing today demonstrates this Government’s determination to tackle youth crime and improve the quality of life for young people, their families and their communities.”
Justice Minister David Hanson said guaranteed funding for three years would help councils plan how best to tackle the problem of youth crime in their areas.
He added: “In working with local councils we are targeting this investment to ensure that we reduce youth crime rates and make our communities safer. The extra funding will support work already underway to help young people turn away from a life of crime.”
Ministers say the funding is a major milestone in the delivery of the Youth Crime Action Plan, launched in July, which aims to tackle youth crime through a comprehensive plan of early prevention, nonnegotiable support and tough enforcement.
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