A PIONEERING police scheme aimed at forcing parents to control their children has slashed youth crime and disorder in Blackburn and Darwen by 80 per cent in just six months, it was revealed today.

Police have sent warning letters to the mothers and fathers of more than 500 youngsters targeted under the new juvenile referral initiative being piloted nationally in the division which includes the area represented by Home Secretary Jack Straw.

The innovative three-stage scheme has recorded such a high success rate in Blackburn and Darwen, that it will be launched in the Ribble Valley on April 1- it was revealed at last night's meeting of the Ribble Valley police and community forum at Whalley Village Hall.

Inspector Dale Allen, in charge of community safety for the Eastern division which covers Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, said: "It's an excellent scheme that is really working in Blackburn and Darwen.

"The juvenile referral scheme involves parents by making them aware of what their children are up to and puts them in control."

If the youngsters continue making trouble - in the six months after the initial letter is sent out - a second warning letter is sent to the parents with copies to the child's school and the education welfare officer.

Insp Allen said that following the first warning only 20 per cent of the youths have continued causing trouble in Blackburn and Darwen.

In the final stage, the youngster and their parents are called into the police station to draw up an action plan to tackle the anti-social behaviour.

But Insp Allen said: " Only four meetings have been held at police stations to draw up action plans to stop repeat anti-social behaviour, that's a measure of the scheme's success."

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