A CHARITY is hoping to work with police to reduce anti social behaviour and stop young people from become persistent offenders.

Consett YMCA wants to work with officers to prevent young people from falling into a life of crime.

Police will identify children deemed to be at risk and the charity will try get them involved with activities that are exciting and educational.

Inspector Dave Turner, of Consett Police, said: “We want to target those at a high risk and get them engaged. I think it is a worthwhile thing to do.

“It is a diversionary tactic to stop them getting into trouble with drink and drugs.”

Insp Turner said research had found that five per cent of young people are responsible for 25 per cent of reported crime.

He added: “This is about reaching out to troubled young people before they go too far and end up trapped in the criminal justice system.

“Once that happens it become harder to break the cycle and it is of great cost to society as a whole.

“If we can engage with three out of the five per cent and get then turned around then we can concentrate resources on coming down harder on the other two.”

The charity and police have two schemes in mind for Consett and Langley Park that would cost around £40,000 for a year.

They are now looking at ways to secure funding for them.

Consett YMCA, which celebrates is 90th anniversary this year, organises outward bound activities for young people such as rock climbing, abseiling and white water rafting.

Trained staff also offer courses in first aid, drug and alcohol awareness as well as sexual health matters.

Funding and monitoring manager Sarah-Jane Heslop said: “This is about working with the local police to eradicate anti social behaviour and people reoffending.

“Sometimes a police uniform can be a barrier to educating young people but we hope our project will enable us to do that.”

“It is about giving them the chance to put something back into their community.”

To find out more about activities on offer visit the YMCA headquaters on Parliament Street, call 01207-502680 or visit http://www.consettymca.btik.com/