A SCHEME designed to cut back on car crime, arson and anti social behaviour in Cumbria is starting to reap rewards, according to figures released this week.

In 2006, 63 youngsters from Cumbria were referred to the Youth Offending Referral Programme (YORP) and just 13 of these went on to re-offend afterwards.

This 21 per cent re-offending rate is less than half of the national average rate of 50 per cent, according to Home Office statistics.

The programme, which is spearheaded by the Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, takes youngsters who have been involved in car crime, arson and hoax calls and educates them about the consequences of their actions.

For full story see the March 16 edition of The Westmorland Gazette.