Glasgow has the highest youth crime rate in Scotland

The scheme entitled Restorative Justice aims to encourage youngsters to face up to the consequences of their actions.

An estimated 5,000 young people in Glasgow who commit offences each year will be the first to operate under the new scheme.

Strathclyde Police said the scheme had received a positive response from within the force.

'This works'

Almost a third of all cases referred to the Children's Panel in Scotland each year are related to crimes committed in Glasgow.

Strathclyde Police assistant chief constable John McLean said officers were taking a keen interest in the Glasgow City Council scheme and believed it could work.

He said: "Some of our more experienced officers who have been about for a long time are looking at this idea and becoming involved in the process.

What to them was a 10-minute prank had a far greater effect on me over seven months Neil Davidson

"They are saying 'yes, this works' and they can see changes with young people really becoming emotional because they can really appreciate what's happened."

Neil Davidson, who was kicked and punched unconscious by a gang of girls, has since come face-to-face with his attackers.

He told BBC Scotland that he felt the meeting helped his psychological recovery.

"I think it had a very big impact on them," he said.

"What to them was a 10-minute prank had a far greater effect on me over seven months and I wanted them to be aware of that.

"And for them to be aware of the repercussions of their action on me as a person and an individual."

Jim Coleman, deputy leader of Glasgow City Council, said the scheme was the culmination of two years work.

He said: "No other council in Scotland has gone as far to address the issue and I'm sure that many will be keen to copy this approach in the years ahead when the positive results of large-scale restorative justice become apparent."