WORK to reduce youth offending in Bedfordshire has been given the seal of approval by inspectors.
Officers from the Criminal Justice Joint Inspection department inspected separate youth offending teams in both Bedfordshire and Luton.
Both teams scored higher than the national average on the three aspects inspected: safeguarding young people, protecting the public and reducing reoffending.
Assistant chief inspector Julie Fox said of the Bedfordshire service, which is shared between Central Beds Council and Bedford Borough Council: “We found a staff team committed to delivering quality interventions with children and young people, supported by effective partnership.”
Of the Luton team she said: “The service has undergone a major restructure during the period running up to the inspection and it is to their credit that despite significant changes they have maintained a high standard of service with an enthusiastic staff and management team.”
The offending service involves representatives from Bedfordshire Police, Bedfordshire Probation Trust, councils and the NHS.
In 2009/10 the average reoffending rate for young people in Luton was 30.7 per cent, compared to a national average of 33 per cent, and in 2010/11 had reduced to 27.1 per cent.
Anita Briddon, head of the Youth Offending Service in Luton said: “We are once again delighted to receive a positive report from the inspectorate which recognises the work undertaken by the dedicated members of this service.
“All members of the service work tirelessly to help young people to address their offending behaviour and help make Luton a safer place for everyone.
“However, we cannot afford to be complacent and there is still more to do.”
