The battle against youth crime in Scotland has taken a step forward with the launch of three new multi-million pound schemes.

The Scottish Executive is supporting mediation projects, programmes to encourage offenders to face up to their victims and schemes to divert young people away from trouble.

Youth crime has become a significant political issue recently and the executive has been urged to do more about persistent offenders, thought to number about 800 youngsters.

Cathy Jamieson, minister for youth issues, has announced a total of �11m in annual funding for projects which will give every youngster in trouble a programme to help prevent reoffending.

Cathy Jamieson announced the cash boost

The projects will include making repairs to vandalised buildings, mediation with victims and alternatives to crime, such as outdoor activities and sports clubs.

The projects have been welcomed by children's charities but opposition parties said they need to be accompanied by tougher laws.

The Scottish National Party wants the parents of offenders to compensate victims, while the Conservatives want more places in secure accommodation and more grounding orders.

Ms Jamieson acknowledged that youth crime was "a major concern", but that the executive was committed to tackling it.

Three funds

She said: "There are a small number of young people across the country who persistently offend and cause misery for a large number of people.

"The new schemes will mean that we can deal with persistent young offenders more quickly and effectively, as well as continuing to support projects which keep young people out of trouble."

The money will go to three funds:

• voluntary organisations will get backing from the �5m youth crime prevention fund, enabling them to widen the range of crime prevention projects and increase support for parents and victims

• the executive hopes the youth justice teams' fund, which will receive �3m during 2002-03, will allow local action plans to be drawn up and ensure persistent young offenders get the right help to prevent reoffending

• the intensive support fund, which will also get �3m, is designed to enable local authorities and voluntary organisations to increase the level of community-based supervision of young offenders

Ms Jamieson said the schemes would help to turn more young people away from a life of crime.

She said: "I want to see programmes include support for parents, families and victims as well as reparation and restorative justice.

There is concern about persistent offenders

"I intend to ensure that children's hearings have quicker access to a wider range of effective programmes which will make young people face up to the consequences of their actions and get them back on the right track."

The new schemes have also been supported by a range of groups, including Barnado's and NCH Scotland.

Kelly Bayes, of Barnado's Scotland, said: "This announcement represents a real commitment to addressing youth crime at all levels and in all communities.

"It also acknowledges the crucial role the voluntary sector has played in delivering highly effective programmes for young offenders."

The executive has set aside �20m tackling youth crime this year, with spending rising by �33m by 2005-06.