The Streets Ahead guide, put together by the police and other groups, looks at the youth justice system.

Some 13,000 pupil books and 1,000 teacher packs are being handed out this month to 12 and 13-year-olds and their teachers across Leics and Rutland.

Supt Mark Wilson, said: "It is important that at this crucial time in their lives, young people learn that actions have consequences."

He added: "We want to enable those teachers responsible for citizenship education to include youth justice issues in their Year 8 classroom sessions and I think Streets Ahead will do that."

Clare Ellis, community safety officer at Rutland County Council, said: "It is an excellent way of teaching people their rights and responsibilities under the law."

Phil Smith, Leicestershire County Council Education Link adviser, said Streets Ahead makes an "important contribution" to personal social and health development.