THE coalition Government should create a mentoring scheme for young offenders, Ryedale MP Anne McIntosh has said, after York teenager Anthony Kerrigan was locked up for antisocial behaviour.

The Conservative MP for Thirsk and Malton said the justice system needed to ensure more support was in place for 18-year-olds.

She said: “Young offenders aged between 15 and 24 are the most vulnerable in society. I’m keen to see some level of mentoring, maybe from a police officer who is responsible for supporting an individual to stop them spiralling and descending into adult crime and denying themselves opportunities.”

Miss McIntosh said young people within the care system tended to get a lot of help, but when they reached the age 18, the system left them to get on with it themselves.

She recommended continuing providing mentors, who would visit the young person at school sports days and other events, so that someone, even if not a parent, would be there to encourage them.

“Minor crime levels such as antisocial behaviour could just be a cry for help,” she said.

She said young people should not be left as many were on a course towards crime.

She said this is even more important once the young person leaves school. “I want the system to work for those people, rather than waiting until they commit a crime or an offence like antisocial behaviour.

“When they have left school they need someone to be there to advise them. There is a bewildering array of choices out there and a mentor could make sure crime isn’t one of them.”