Darius Danesh launched the initiative with young Ben Lochart

The move is part of a new �300,000 campaign which encourages young people to improve their lives and not to become involved in anti-social behaviour.

Scottish pop star Darius Danesh offered his support for the Crimestoppers "Dream On" scheme at its launch in Glasgow on Wednesday.

The initiative, which is backed by the Scottish Executive and several youth organisations, also includes a mentoring scheme encouraging teenagers to help others.

The free mobile phone "top-up" offer will be open to young people who call the Crimestoppers hotline anonymously at any time during the next three months.

'Support and encouragement'

It is only one high profile initiative in the "Dream On" campaign which police hope will persuade young people to abandon anti-social behaviour.

Others include a national writing competition for youngsters aged between six and 18-years-old.

Winning entries from each age category will be included in a new book called "Dream On: The hopes and aspirations of a new generation".

The Royal Bank of Scotland is supporting the campaign with a �100,000 donation to Crimestoppers Scotland.

Gordon Ferrie, the bank's head of group security, said: "The initiative will make a dramatic difference to the way crime is tackled by targeting young people and showing those who might be vulnerable to getting involved in crime that there is another way to turn.

'Landmark initiative'

"We believe that it is vitally important to give young people support and encouragement to enable them to make the best possible choices and realise their true potential.

"This is exactly what this initiative will do and we are pleased to be able to assist in this."

Sir John Orr, former chief constable of Strathclyde Police and trustee of Crimestoppers Scotland, said: "I am delighted at this significant level of support for what I believe will be a landmark initiative involving the youth of our country.

"This generous support will go a long way to realising the success of this initiative in very tangible terms."