HOME Secretary David Blunkett today praised court staff and police in North Yorkshire for dealing with hard-core young offenders quickly.

New statistics have revealed the average length of time between arrest and sentencing has fallen to 67 days.

The figure is below the national average of 73 days and - most significantly - inside the Government's target of 71 days.

The target was set in 1997 as one of Labour's five "pledges" to voters. It is supposed to be achieved by March next year.

Mr Blunkett said the figures showed what could be achieved through "determination, goodwill and good organisation".

He added: "It brings real benefit to the public. Young people who commit crime are brought to justice more quickly, and victims and local people can have confidence the system delivers results.

"The police, Crown Prosecution Service, Youth Courts, Crown Courts, Youth Justice Board and Young Offending teams are to be congratulated.

"They have had to work together as never before to ensure coherent case management from beginning to end."

The figures published today cover the period from April to June this year.

In the previous three months, police and court staff in North Yorkshire had taken 83 days to sentence juvenile criminals.

The local average for the whole of 2000 was 69 days from arrest to sentence.

Ministers said they are confident the national target of 71 days can be met by next year.

Updated: 11:10 Monday, September 24, 2001