Lib Dems Delighted at Crime Drop Among Young People

4.05.03pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 17th Jul 2007

Liberal Democrats have expressed their delight that the number of young people committing crimes is decreasing, and that extra front-line staff are to be employed by the Council's Youth Offending Service. At a meeting of today's County Cabinet, councillors are discussing a report that shows that new young entrants to the criminal justice system fell by over 20% in 2006 and that reoffending rates have fallen by 17%. Both these reductions are very substantially better than national and regional figures, and are an example of excellent partnership working.

The report warns that the budget cuts to the Youth Offending Service over the last two years led to significant underfunding, which is now being addressed by employing front line staff partly using short term money that comes as a reward from government for the achievements in cutting offending rates amongst looked after young people. The budget cut which led to staff cuts was opposed at the time by the Liberal Democrats who put extra money in their Alternative Budget 2006/7.

Lib Dem Cllr Jean Fooks, the Shadow Cabinet member for Children, Young People and Families said, "I am delighted that offending rates are decreasing - none of us want to see young people in trouble with the law. I am also delighted that more staff are being employed now to ensure that this trend continues into the future, although only five of the acknowledged shortfall of about 11 full time posts are to be filled. We did oppose the budget cut two years ago, and it was unfortunate that the Tories did not listen to us then.

"Our main concern now is that most of the funding for the front line staff is only short term. It is particularly worrying that government funding for all preventative services for young offenders are at risk from April 2008. We call upon the Conservative administration to ensure long term funding so that the vital work of the Youth Offending Service continues."