YOUNG people who commit crime in Blackpool may have to meet their victims as part of a radical new approach to tackling youth offenders in the town.

Figures show approximately 15 per cent of all youth offenders locally are aged ten to 17 with the highest numbers living in the Clifton, Grange Park and Claremont wards.

The most commonly occurring crimes among young offenders are theft and handling stolen goods and research has shown they are associated with lack of money, problems at home and hanging around with people who commit crimes.

Blackpool Council has now been given fresh powers to work with the police, probation and health services to produce a youth justice audit and plan.

A newly appointed youth offending team manager will work with these agencies to draw up the plan with the help of the crown prosecution service and the children's charity Barnardos.

The plan includes making young offenders confront the consequences of their crimes on themselves and their victims and encouraging them to make amends to their victims.

Other objectives include ensuring the punishment is proportionate to the seriousness and persistence of offending and reinforcing the responsibilities of parents.

Blackpool's youth offending team manager Stephen Cook said: "The plan is an important step forward in addressing youth offenders.

"The fundamental purpose of this fresh approach is to deliver high quality community services that reduce offending, protect victims and engage the confidence of the courts and the public."

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