Mr McConnell is disappointed by levels of vandalism

Labour insiders say the current children's hearings system have a "social work ethos" and are too soft on yobs.

However, they also want to keep disorderly teenagers out of the mainstream court system from where they might simply embark on a career of crime.

The Scottish Cabinet discussed youth crime at its weekly meeting on Wednesday.

First Minister Jack McConnell told colleagues that he was disappointed by the level of vandalism and youth crime.

He believes it is unacceptable that people are living in fear.

Downward spiral

He has set up a sub-committee to monitor and evaluate what the executive is doing at the moment and to make recommendations for the future.

The group's remit is wide-ranging, but it has two key themes: how to prevent youngsters being sucked into a downward spiral of crime; and how best to come down hard on persistent offenders.

Justice Minister Jim Wallace will sit on the sub-committee.

The Conservatives have already dismissed the group as political posturing.