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A new package of measures to help young runaways was unveiled in a report by the government's social exclusion unit, writes Amy Taylor.

The report announces plans to help solve runaways' problems before they reach crisis point, providing them with somebody to talk to and somewhere safe to stay.

The government wants to lower the number of young people who run away each year, which is 77,000 including 20,000 under the age of 11.

The report sets out how local authorities, helplines, the Connexions Service, personal advisers, the police and outreach workers on the street should all act to provide young people with someone to talk to before during and after they leave home.

Practical measures to prevent young people from running away in the first place are also outlined. These include providing young people themselves, families and communities with more information of the dangers of running away, and where to go for help and advice through websites and schools.

'Young runaways' is available here