TROUBLED youngsters are being targeted for a half-term activities scheme that youth workers hope will slash crime and antisocial behaviour in York.

The experts want to build on the success of a project that saw nuisance behaviour in York fall by almost a fifth this summer as 50 young people, some targeted by schools and social agencies, took part in a programme of activities.

Organisers believe that a similar success story could be repeated this week as 15 "hard to help" teenagers join a programme of voluntary half-term activities.

Steve Flatley, of Connexions, a group that offers advice and support to young people, said the scheme was not just a case of treating troublemakers to days out, but a way of engaging with disadvantaged youths.

He said: "It's an opportunity to join in group activities, to build up relationships and come out with a sense of achievement. It also helps bring these young people into mainstream activities.

"For a lot of them, if they are not in school or college, that's when they are most at risk of becoming involved in criminal activities."

He said the wider community would benefit in the long-term from helping these people gain communication skills while building their confidence and sense of self-worth.

Helen Bateman, of Network Two, a youth mentoring scheme, said youngsters aged between eight and 19 would take part in kayaking, events at Acomb Wood, a trip to Whitby and a Hallowe'en party. She said: "They choose to take part, there's no compulsion at all. It's quite a positive fact that they choose to engage as a lot of them say there is just nothing else going on for them."

During the summer break more than 60 young people joined four-weeks of events in the West Field area of Acomb. At the same time, reports of nuisance behaviour in the city dropped by 17 per cent.

The programme is part of a national scheme, Positive Activities for Young People, that aims to divert youngsters from antisocial and criminal behaviour.

Up to £90,000 is being spent over three years in York and North Yorkshire on the scheme, which is handled by crime reduction partnerships, City of York Council, North Yorkshire Police and other youth groups.

Updated: 14:40 Tuesday, October 28, 2003