It followed the recent murder of 11-year-old Rhys Jones, who was shot while playing football in a pub car park. The document outlines action the association believes councils should be taking to combat youth crime.
Councils are advised to regain control of the streets through visible authority figures such as the police, community support officers and wardens. The plan states that councils must: work with all law enforcement agencies; ensure residents have access to people patrolling the streets; ensure people who report crimes are told what action is taken; make full use of all sanctions available and provide activities for young people; and adopt a tough licensing strategy that seeks out and punishes problem premises.
The association said it has tried to take a proactive stance on youth crime through the plan.
But Geoff Monaghan, senior policy development officer for youth crime at crime reduction charity Nacro, said the plan contained language that "can only encourage a harsh and disrespectful view of young people".
- www.lga.gov.uk.
