YOUNG OFFENDERS in Darlington are paying their debts to society through community and environmental projects.

Around ten youngsters, all convicted of crimes including car theft and burglary, are currently working with Darlington's Community Safety Partnership team, carrying out duties designed to benefit the community.

The youngsters, aged ten to 18, are supervised by Darlington Borough Council's uniformed wardens and officers from Darlington police. They are repainting the railings around North Lodge Park and helping Springfield Residents Association by delivering newsletters and questionnaires.

They are also helping to renovate a disused garage at McMullen House Alternative Centre for Education to provide its pupils with a rest and relaxation area.

Projects in the past, amounting to several hundred man hours of work, have included clearing paths, painting fences and planting bulbs as well as cleaning wheelchairs and scooters for disabled people.

The Youth Justice Service has set a target for 60 per cent of all young offenders, referred to it by the courts or the police, to take part in reparation programmes.

The programmes provide the young people with the opportunity to work with the victims of their crimes or with the wider community to repay some of their debt to society.

Reparation can vary from three to 30 hours service for young offenders who have been to court and pleaded guilty to an offence, or who have been issued with a final warning by the police.

They are then referred to Darlington Community Safety Partnership team, assessed and appropriate steps taken to find out what programme will be suitable and beneficial to them, their victims and the community.

Bill Dixon, the council's cabinet member for social services, said: "The youths on the community safety partnership reparation programme are working hard to repay their debt to society.

"Suitable projects are identified which not only provide the young people with the opportunity to gain some new skills and experience but also projects that benefit the community and victims of their crime."

The projects tackled must be of use and benefit to the community or the environment.