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Children's charities this week voiced concern over proposals floated by government to cut child benefit for parents of persistent young offenders and children who truant.

A 10 Downing Street spokesperson confirmed that the idea, which came from a cross-government group looking at street crime, was "under active consideration".

The scheme would target "out of control" children whose parents are not dealing with the problem, the spokesperson confirmed. He added that the government was not frightened to make a controversial decision if it was the right one, though he conceded details needed to be worked out

But Save the Children accused the government of failing to understand the lives of children in the UK.

Director general Mike Aaronson said: "Child benefit is supposed to provide for children's welfare. At the end of the day such measures punish no one but the child.

"Taking away between £16 and £27 a week from families, especially those already on a low income, could simply push more children into poverty and exacerbate the problems they are facing," he added.

Aaronson urged the government to look at measures to help parents deal with difficult children.

The Child Poverty Action Group described the proposal as short-sighted and a "knee-jerk reaction to the serious but complex problem of youth crime," adding that it did not sit easily with the prime minister's pledge to end child poverty.

Rehabilitation agency Nacro agreed the idea was likely to make matters worse. Nacro spokesperson on youth crime Chris Stanley said: "Parenting skills cannot be fostered by punitive, short-term measures."

Last week, education secretary Estelle Morris announced a £66m package to tackle truancy. The package includes intensive truancy sweeps, an electronic registration system to pick up on truancy more speedily, expanded learning support units and behaviour and education support teams.

This week, at a London conference on truancy, Morris announced further measures including police officers based in and around schools to address high levels of crime and anti-social behaviour committed by and against young people.

She said up to 100 extra officers would be based at schools in the 10 crime areas identified by the government, as outlined in the Department for Education and Skills' School Police Protocol.

"Police have been working effectively in schools for many years and I want to offer head teachers facing the toughest challenges the chance to develop a closer working relationship with the police," Morris said.

- If you are interested in children's services don't miss Community Care Live at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London on 22 and 23 May. There are workshops and debates for children and families practitioners. Ring 020 8652 4782/4839 for your free ticket.