Youth crime team needs recruits

A drive is under way to find more volunteers to help tackle problem youths in Gloucestershire.

Two volunteers work with one professional from the Youth Offending Service (YOS).

The youth offending team meets with teenagers and parents to talk through their offending behaviour and agree a tailor-made contract to move forward.

The team creates schemes which give positive help to teenagers and make sure they repair the harm they caused.

Volunteers are expected to commit to eight training days and to be available to meet in the evenings and some weekends.

Andy Ray, operation manager of the Youth Offending Service, said: "Some come from a business background, others have experience of working with young people in areas as diverse as Brownies and football coaching - so you can see, we are looking for people of all ages and from all backgrounds."

Paul McLain, of the county council, added: "Being a panel member is a challenging role. But if it succeeds in getting one young offender off the criminal conveyer belt then it's worth its weight in gold."