Problem teens ‘in need of fun’

TROUBLESOME teenagers must be given “exciting things to do” on Friday and Saturday nights to stop anti-social behaviour, Oldham Council was told today.

In a crackdown on youth crime officials are being ordered to toughen up the way they deal with out-of-control youngsters.

One of the Government recommendations includes finding ways to occupy them on the weekend with possible options including late night youth club opening hours.

Police must work closely with other services to ensure offenders, the Government insisted, and more must be done to get to uncover why the youngsters are going astray.

Ministers say they want to build on the pioneering work of Family Intervention Projects across the country that means mums and dads of tearaway teens are forced to work with parental advisers to find a way of curbing their child’s bad behaviour.

But the Conservatives dismissed the proposals as “too little, too late”.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling said: “This Government’s been in power for more than a decade during which time anti-social behaviour, family breakdown and problems like alcohol abuse and truancy have just got worse and worse.”

Home Secretary Alan Johnson has written to the council asking it to “expand and accelerate” the scheme.

He said: “Today is an important milestone in our fight against youth crime. We have made real progress and early indicators show it is making a really positive difference to the lives of young people and communities across the country.

“But we are not complacent. There is still much to be done and I am committed to ensuring our young people and communities are on the right track and our streets remain safe for everyone.”