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Best in WalesSWANSEA'S best in Wales success at tackling youth crime is set to bring cash benefits to every resident in Swansea.  The city's Youth Offending Team is celebrating its 6th birthday by being ranked the best in Wales for cutting crime and reoffending. The YOT is also ranked second in the whole of England and Wales. The work is benefiting of young people, potential victims of crime and the city's image locally and abroad. The success is set to mean residents can enjoy lower insurance premiums, less fear of crime and life in a city which is attractive to visitors and new businesses alike. Created in April 2000, Swansea YOT is lead by Swansea Council's Housing and Social Services department in partnership with police, probation, health, and education services. Areas targeted include domestic burglary and reducing theft of and from vehicles. The YOT works to prevent young people turning to crime and to insure if they get into trouble they do not fall into the trap of repeated reoffending. This includes work with a range of partners across Swansea to help young people become engaged in education and employment and working with families to help them support teenagers into adulthood. For young people who have offended the YOT is involved in projects such as supervision and surveillance orders as an alternative to custody Since the YOT's creation, overall youth crime has more than halved. Targets for reducing vehicle crime, domestic burglary, violent crime, criminal damage, public order and nuisance offences by young people have been surpassed. For example the YOT has had an impact on vehicle crime among young people setting Swansea free from the stigma of being top of the European league table for such crimes. There are benefits in terms of outcomes for young people themselves reducing the risk of them becoming persistent offenders, improving their quality of life and increasing their life opportunities. This reduces crime and fear of crime, making communities more pleasant places to live and work. The success will benefit people directly through reduced insurance premiums and is also helping make Swansea more attractive to tourist and potential investors bringing economic benefits to the city and its residents. YOT manager Eddie Isles said: "The overwhelming majority of young people in Swansea are law abiding, hard working and contribute positively to society. "Over the past six years the reported level of offending by young people has halved. "It is particularly encouraging to see the impact of work to prevent young people getting involved in offending." Swansea Council leader Cllr Chris Holley said: "We are delighted at the progress the YOT has made. This is great news for the people of Swansea "The YOT is an integral part of the Safe Swansea Partnership which sees this council working alongside organisations such as the police and probation service. "This partnership is having a huge impact in Swansea, making it a better place to live."
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This page last updated on April 2 2007