She said work to reach the government target of seeing a 10 per cent reduction in reoffending by young people from 2005 to 2011, is on track.

Schools minister Vernon Coaker said: "We know that the vast majority of young people are law abiding citizens. But those that do commit a crime must face the consequences.
"We now need to build on this success and to continue our efforts to intervene early and tackle the root causes of youth crime."

BBC launch Jail Tales

Ashley Walters, a contributor to the Stand Up Tall Project, is launching Jail Tales with the BBC. The Jail Tales project is an ambitious mix of multiplatform content, and consists of a series of viral You Tube videos, short films, animated shorts, exclusive music performances and a gritty photo gallery on Facebook. More information can be found at the BBC wesbite here.




Police told to take serious ASBO action




Gordon Brown election pledge

In an attempt to empower victims of antisocial behaviour, the prime minister says they will be entitled to take out civil injunctions, funded by the local public authority, if the police are not taking action within a set time.

"People have got to know if they have a real complaint they will get a fast response, and ultimately if they feel they have not been given satisfaction, they will be able to take a civil injunction themselves and that will be paid for by the authority." Labour is also planning to install champions for victims of antisocial behaviour in every local authority.