Local groups to identify young people displaying behaviour that could lead to crime are to be piloted in 14 areas, the Youth Justice Board chairperson Lord Warner announced last week.

The 14 "youth inclusion and support panels" will be up and running in seven of the 10 street crime areas by April this year to prevent eight to 13 year olds at risk of offending from getting into trouble.

Dismissing suggestions that the schemes would label young people as criminals, Warner said many persistent young offenders' careers could be traced back to their early childhood experiences.

"If we can get in at that early stage of a young person's life and make sure everybody provides them with the help they need, we can divert more young people from crime and the criminal justice system more effectively."

The panels will be made up of members of the community and a range of agencies including social services, health, police, teachers and YOTs. They will recommend a programme of help to get the young person and their family into mainstream services.