YOUTH crime is so bad in North Kent one young offender, who has been arrested 76 times, is still on the streets, say the authorities.

North Kent Police say 10 young offenders, aged between 13 and 17 are responsible for "a substantial amount of crime" in the area estimated to be at least 40 per cent.

These crimes include burglaries and thefts.

Now Gravesham MP Chris Pond is calling for Dartford Magistrates' Court to be tougher on young criminals and local authorities to start applying for more anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs).

Detective Chief Inspector Martyn Henneker said: "Youth crime is the biggest problem in North Kent. These 10 persistent young offenders have had a big impact on the area's crime figures and if somebody is arrested 76 times, action needs to be taken. But the problem is current youth crime legislation does not give courts necessary tools to administer justice."

But Mr Pond, who brought up the subject of youth crime in North Kent in the House of Commons last week, says he feels Dartford Magistrates' Court needs to get tougher on young criminals.

He told the News Shopper: "Youth crime is getting worse in North Kent and it is disgraceful one youth can be arrested 76 times and still be on the streets. I feel strongly there are occasions when Dartford Magistrates' Court could be tougher on young criminals.

"And local authorities need to apply for more ASBOs. Gravesham Council has already applied for an ASBO for a 14-year-old girl and there should be more of these if necessary."

Chief Legal Advisor at Dartford and Magistrates' Court Malcolm Dodds says the courts sometimes have "their hands tied" when it comes to dealing with young criminals.

He said: "Dartford Magistrates' Youth Court is one of the busiest in Kent.

"We do our best to try to remand youths to the right place but we cannot exceed our powers and we listen to the advice we get from the youth offending teams.

"We have to be seen to be doing something constructive rather than just locking them up."

A Gravesham Council spokesman said: "We will continue in conjuction with the police and other agencies, to try to protect people and their quality of life from anti-social behaviour.

A Dartford Council spokesman said the council served an anti-social behaviour contract in September.

She added: "The council believes establishing good working relationships with police and other agencies is crucial to combat anti-social behaviour." (See our Comment on page 19)

November 28, 2001 9:34

Emma Coutts-Wood