A project steering children as young as four away from a life of crime will be set up in Bradford after the city was handed a £1.2 million cash boost.

The On Track scheme is aimed at helping youngsters who are at risk of becoming involved in crime by offering a range of preventative services to their families.

The scheme will be based in the Bradford Moor and Thornbury areas of the district, and is expected to involve up to 2,000 children aged between four and 12.

Services will include family support training, home visiting, family therapy, pre-school education and involvement in community-based activities.

Bradford is one of 24 areas chosen from a list of 76 to pilot the Home Office-backed crime reduction project and benefit from a £1.2 million injection over three years.

The Bradford scheme will tie in with the Integrated Children's Services Plan - which brings agencies like the Council, police, health authority, youth offending team and voluntary organisations together.

Viv Murray, integrated children's services plan manager, said: "We are trying to develop a non-stigmatised early intervention programme. We can't make the assumption that every child will be involved in crime, but this scheme is aimed at reducing the risk."

Mike Stow, Bradford Social Services assistant director, said: "The aim is to provide extra help and support for children in areas of high deprivation.

"It is vital that we become involved with these vulnerable young people at a very early stage so they are offering positive and appealing options which could prevent them getting into trouble."

The scheme will link up with other initiatives such as the Health Action Zone. After the first three years Government funding will gradually reduce and at the end of seven years it will be funded by the Council and other partners.

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