The Home Secretary, Jack Straw, has announced a major expansion of a pioneering youth justice scheme which brings young offenders face-to-face with their victims.

Mr Straw was impressed with the success of the ground breaking project run by Thames Valley Police in Aylesbury which has borrowed Maori concepts of justice to achieve a cut in the reoffending rate from 30% to 4%.

During a visit last month, he saw two young offenders and their parents confronted by a policewoman who made the youngsters face up to the consequences of their actions and challenged one parent to accept their own complicity.

Under the scheme, which was first operated in New Zealand and was inspired by Maori tribal laws, offenders can also be required to face their victims and explain their actions.

Mr Straw, who is to address a conference on restorative justice, will announce that measures in the forthcoming Crime and Disorder Bill will enable the scheme to be taken up nationwide.

Under the government proposals, "conferencing" sessions would be carried out by the new youth offender teams which bring together police, probation and education services.

Youngsters who have been cautioned by the police would have the chance to go on the scheme. Those who refuse face having their cases referred to the youth courts.

Once involved, they and their parents would be required to take responsibility for their offending. That may include writing letters of apology to their victims or carrying out reparation work for them.

In some cases, where the victim agrees, they would meet them face-to-face to discuss their crime.
 

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