This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7506618.stm

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Youth crime plan targets families Youth crime plan targets families
(20 minutes later)
Ministers have confirmed plans for more targeting of 110,000 "problematic" families in a bid to cut youth crime.Ministers have confirmed plans for more targeting of 110,000 "problematic" families in a bid to cut youth crime.
The £100m Youth Crime Action Plan says more parenting orders should be handed out with ASBOs.The £100m Youth Crime Action Plan says more parenting orders should be handed out with ASBOs.
It also proposes increased support for crime victims and for young offenders to settle into communities - and says more youth centres should be built.It also proposes increased support for crime victims and for young offenders to settle into communities - and says more youth centres should be built.
The plan says the number of people aged 10 to 17 entering the criminal justice system should be cut by 20% by 2010.The plan says the number of people aged 10 to 17 entering the criminal justice system should be cut by 20% by 2010.
'Tackled head-on''Tackled head-on'
It adds that "families with children at risk of future high-rate offending will be reached through additional support which will ensure that problems are tackled early before difficulties spiral out of control".It adds that "families with children at risk of future high-rate offending will be reached through additional support which will ensure that problems are tackled early before difficulties spiral out of control".
Police should carry out "visible patrols" after school hours, the plan says.Police should carry out "visible patrols" after school hours, the plan says.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "Youth crime can have a devastating effect on victims and communities and must be tackled head-on.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "Youth crime can have a devastating effect on victims and communities and must be tackled head-on.
There are boundaries of acceptable behaviour [and] that it is completely unacceptable to carry a knife Gordon Brown Youth crime: Key recommendationsThere are boundaries of acceptable behaviour [and] that it is completely unacceptable to carry a knife Gordon Brown Youth crime: Key recommendations
"Today I want to send the message to perpetrators that their actions are unacceptable."Today I want to send the message to perpetrators that their actions are unacceptable.
"They must understand the consequences their behaviour has not only on victims and communities but on their families and their futures.""They must understand the consequences their behaviour has not only on victims and communities but on their families and their futures."
The plan will involve the Home Office, Ministry of Justice and the Department for Children, Schools and Families.The plan will involve the Home Office, Ministry of Justice and the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
It calls for more investment in non-custodial sentences, involving intensive fostering and community supervision of young offenders.It calls for more investment in non-custodial sentences, involving intensive fostering and community supervision of young offenders.
Greater support will be offered with housing, education and work for those leaving prison, it adds.Greater support will be offered with housing, education and work for those leaving prison, it adds.
Not a U-turn as such [by the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith] but a very belated attempt to clear up the important confusion… Nick RobinsonBBC political editor Read Nick's blog in full
'Don't feel safe''Don't feel safe'
The plan comes after the chief inspector of probation, Andrew Bridges, warned there were no "simple solutions" to reducing offending and expressed scepticism about "spectacular innovations".The plan comes after the chief inspector of probation, Andrew Bridges, warned there were no "simple solutions" to reducing offending and expressed scepticism about "spectacular innovations".
Research published last week suggested there had been significant improvements in parenting skills and school attendance among many of the first 90 families to complete the scheme.Research published last week suggested there had been significant improvements in parenting skills and school attendance among many of the first 90 families to complete the scheme.
HAVE YOUR SAY Evicting the problem families just moves them from one place to another. I think it would be better to deal with the root causes, not just the surface cracks. Nicola Clubb, BournemouthSend us your comments
Mr Brown said at his monthly news conference on Monday: "Too many people, young and old, do not feel safe in the streets, and sometimes even in their homes, as a result of the behaviour of a minority.Mr Brown said at his monthly news conference on Monday: "Too many people, young and old, do not feel safe in the streets, and sometimes even in their homes, as a result of the behaviour of a minority.
HAVE YOUR SAY Evicting the problem families just moves them from one place to another. I think it would be better to deal with the root causes, not just the surface cracks. Nicola Clubb, BournemouthSend us your comments
"We need to make it absolutely clear to everyone, but especially young people, that in our country there are boundaries of acceptable behaviour [and] that it is completely unacceptable to carry a knife.""We need to make it absolutely clear to everyone, but especially young people, that in our country there are boundaries of acceptable behaviour [and] that it is completely unacceptable to carry a knife."
The strategy was launched as Ms Smith was forced to again deny making a U-turn over plans to make young people who carry knives meet the victims of knife crime.The strategy was launched as Ms Smith was forced to again deny making a U-turn over plans to make young people who carry knives meet the victims of knife crime.
Shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve said the government had used "gimmickry" to try to tackle the problem.Shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve said the government had used "gimmickry" to try to tackle the problem.
Ms Smith denied the plan had ever been to take young people to A&E departments to meet victims as they were being treated.Ms Smith denied the plan had ever been to take young people to A&E departments to meet victims as they were being treated.