Its attempts to negotiate with troublesome youngsters failed, so it is demanding a return to juvenile courts and custodial sentences in secure units rather than rehabilitation within the community.
Carol Munro, the group's spokeswoman, said: "Last year, we had exhausted every other avenue so we decided to target our work towards the youths themselves.
"They told us what they wanted – five-a-side football, dance classes and so on. So we decided to go for funding and explained the difficulties. They all understood and, at the end of the meeting, we told them we'd pull out if the crime rate did not improve.
"For nine or 10 days, it was great. Then it went back to normal. They couldn't be bothered to wait."
Football and dance classes worked for 10 days, but then the youths’ behaviour went back to normal
Carol Monro, Save our Scheme
The petition will be debated by the executive's petitions committee.
A spokesman for the executive said: "It is, of course, possible for children to be charged in adult courts if the crime is deemed suitably serious. However, our general view is that children should be kept out of the adult criminal justice system.
"We believe their needs and deeds are best dealt with through the youth justice system of which our unique hearings system [in which a panel of trained volunteers passes judgment] is a cornerstone."
Source
Housing Today
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