VICTIMS of crime have been helping decide how teenage tearaways should be punished in a trailblazing scheme in York.

More than 100 young offenders have been forced to face up to the impact of their crimes through the forward-thinking youth justice programme.

Under the project, shoplifters have been forced to work for the businesses that they targeted, and vandals made to join bus stop repair crews.

The scheme has now been highlighted at Westminster where MPs have heard how York is leading the way in the new approach to youth crime.

In total 108 young offenders have been dealt with under the "restorative justice" scheme which orders them to repay their debt to society in a manner appropriate to their crime.

Victims are given the opportunity to confront the youths with the effects of their actions and are also given a say in what kind of work or scheme the offender is compelled to participate in.

Youth Offending Team member Alan Hodgson said: "Victims of crime should not just be left high and dry. We contact them and invite them to become involved in the process. But this is not a soft option, the tasks are incredibly challenging. There are not many court orders that ask a young offender to do this much work and to spend so much time thinking about what they have done."

Other penalties include enrolling offenders on community schemes such as that at Rawcliffe Park & Ride where a sensory garden is being built, or at York Cemetery where workers are reclaiming overgrown land for a butterfly walk.

Mr Hodgson said: "Also if they do not tackle personal issues, of alcohol or substance abuse for example, which are written into their contract, they will return to the court for re-sentence where they often face a stiffer penalty."

Speaking at Westminster this week, York MP Hugh Bayley said he was delighted York magistrates appeared to be leading the way in involving local residents in the restorative justice scheme.

He said: "I have many people coming to me and saying we are sick and tired of youths running amok, scratching cars. If the youths are in groups of five or six they do not like to confront them, but giving them the opportunity to take part in deciding the punishment is very worthwhile."

Referral orders of between three and 12 months are handed out by magistrates instead of fines or other traditional punishments. Victims of crime are invited to join a community panel of volunteers and youth workers, who decide on an appropriate course of work.

Updated: 10:43 Thursday, July 17, 2003