Children as young as eight who show signs of anti-social behaviour are to be targeted by Youth Justice Board panels.

The initiative is being launched in 10 street crime hot-spots in England to try and divert children away from criminal behaviour.

The aim is to help reduce the likelihood of children getting into trouble later in life, the Board's chairman Lord Warner has told a conference organised by the Association of Chief Police Officers.

These young people by definition will be well known to the relevant agencies already

Lord Warner

It is believed to be the first time a youth justice strategy in England has been directed at children under 10, who are below the age of criminal responsibility.

Children aged between eight to 13-years-old will be referred to a panel of police officers, education experts and social workers.

The aim is to identify children most at risk of offending and give them and their families support.

Help will be available on issues including drug misuse, anti-social behaviour and mental health but attendance will be voluntary.

Six-month trial

The scheme of Youth Inclusion and Support Panels will be piloted over the next six months in the 10 areas.

Lord Warner, said this scheme was not about labelling children - instead it would help stop the community "labelling" young people as "problem children".

While recognising the proposals have been controversial, he said these young people would already be known to agencies.

"It is my experience that many families would welcome support with their children if only it was available at an earlier stage and before problems escalate," he said.

Scheme success

The initiative has been welcomed by Julia Lock, who manages a youth inclusion project in Bristol.

She said her estate-based scheme, which works with 50 young people identified by agencies, had proved successful since it was began two years ago.

Crime rates and school exclusion rates had gone down, she added.

She does not believe eight is too young for the crime prevention panels to focus on.

"If you can get in there early and work with these young people and give them positive role models and activities to keep them engaged it is giving them enough opportunity not to offend at a later date," she said.

"It gets them involved in the community they live in."