Young people are to be given powers to help decide punishments handed out to juvenile criminals from their own communities.

The Youth Justice Board is looking for 60 members of the public to join Youth Offender Panels which will meet offenders and their victims to work out appropriate action. Its members are particularly keen to get young people aged between 18 and 25 onto the panels, as well as ethnic minorities.

Paul O'Hara, Youth Offending Team Manager in Bradford, believes the panels are an exciting new development in tackling youth crime.

He said: "Young people are more likely to understand the pressures and needs faced by other youngsters. This is why we want them on the panels where they will be able to exercise more influence over young offenders."

From April 1, all first time offenders aged ten to 17 who appear before youth courts will receive either a Referral Order, custody or an Absolute Discharge. Under a referral, they will be made to attend an evening session along with two panel volunteers, a member of the Youth Offending Team, their parents and the victims.

The parties will draw up a contract to allow the young criminal the opportunity to put things right. He or she may be required to repair damage they have caused, apologise to his victims or become involved in community work, depending on the seriousness of their crime. The panel will deal with up to 350 young people a year and hold sessions up to 20 times a week.

Mr O'Hara said: "We want people from all different types of backgrounds to get involved and people will help draw up contracts for offenders from the area they live in. Successful candidates will receive training to make sure they are responsible. This is a wonderful opportunity for youngsters to be part of the criminal justice process.

Shafana Talib, 23, and Farah Awan, 19, have successfully applied to become panel members. Miss Talib, of Undercliffe, is currently training to be a solicitor.

She said: "It is brilliant that young people are being invited to play such an important role in tackling crime committed by people who are almost their peers. Hopefully we can help them embark on a road to a better life."

Miss Awan, from Odsal, who is taking a year out before she goes to university to study Biology, applied after seeing an advertisement for volunteers.

She said: "As youngsters, we are more aware of the pressures young people are under today and can recognise many of the social factors that lead to crime."

Anyone interested in becoming a panel member should call (0191) 4979332.