Funding to aid youth crime battle

The money could be used for extra police patrols

Two local authorities in Devon are being given almost £1.5m in a bid to stop young people being lured into a life of crime.

Plymouth and Torbay will both receive £700,000 under a scheme designed to support the Youth Crime Action Plan.

The government is giving more than £56m nationally to 69 areas in an effort to crack down on offences by young people.

The money will be used to fund youth workers to combat gang culture and increase after-school police patrols.

Children's Secretary Ed Balls said the money - part of a three-year initiative - will help address the causes of youth crime and will also be put towards helping young people who have been in trouble to rebuild their lives.