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The Daily Mirror reports today that Crime-busting specialist units set up to tackle teenage gangs are being squeezed by Justice Secretary Ken Clarke.
The Government has slashed funding for youth offending teams by 16% - making 1,928 workers redundant. Youth teams help cut anti-social behaviour and teen violence by bringing together police, probation officers and youth crime experts. One team smashed a London gang who killed Kodjo Yenga, 16, in 2008.
Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act reveal 94 of the 156 teams in England will lose funds.
Shadow justice minister Andy Slaughter said: "Labour's strategy brought down offending and the number of kids in jail the right way. "It identified potential troublemakers, intervened early and ensured they didn't turn to crime. That's why there was a 40% cut in kids turning to crime over the last Parliament.
Simon Reed, of the Police Federation, added: "Despite their success, they are another victim of budget cuts."
I, personally, think that tackling youth crime and juvenile delinquents is so important if society is to break the chain and move forward. 'Old lags' have in most cases have chosen or been forced into crime by dint of their upbringing,peer pressure or career choice. Trying to get them to change their ways is difficult if near impossible however if the youth of today are more impressionable and if offered equal opportunities in education,better career prospects and a drive to eliminate child poverty in the UK,especially inner city areas then society stands some chance of reducing crime.
These cuts demonstrate that this government is unwilling to invest in the future and is more interested in cuts in spending rather than cutting crime.