Young offenders' conference

A national conference is being held to discuss the success of rehabilitating young offenders back into the community in Warwickshire.

Youth offending teams, which are made up of members of the police, the probation service, social services, education and housing, were meeting from across the country in Rugby on Saturday.

Warwickshire's youth offending service says during the last 18 months its team of volunteers has pulled together to find work for young offenders who have been given referral orders by the courts.

John Morris, a volunteer with Warwickshire's youth offending team, says the orders are working well.

"I'm a great believer in the referral order option which is now given to magistrates.

"It is possibly one of the best pieces of legislation to come in regarding young offenders as it looks at the areas where young people are affected, peer pressure, drugs, and alcohol, and tackles them in a positive way to address the problem.

"It does open so many doors of help to young people. The results coming through show to me this is a positive approach."