THE Commander of Yeovil Police, Chief Superintendent Jim Shearer, has said that one of the key initiatives for the next 12 months will be trying to curb the rise in youth crime.

Chief Supt Shearer, who is the District Commander for the Somerset East District which covers Yeovil and surrounding area, said that he believes that with the help of partnership groups the police can gain positive results.

"Together we have drawn up new strategies and one of the areas we will focusing on is youth crime - dealing with the hard core of persistent offenders responsible for the majority of crime in our area," he said.

"But the public can also help us through Neighbourhood Watch, as special constables and by working as volunteers at rural police station."

Chief Supt Shearer said that during the past seven years crime has been reduced right across the Avon and Somerset area, but 'disappointingly' last year was the first time that there was an increase.

"So our challenge over the next 12 months will be to put the brakes on that increase and work towards further reductions in crime over the forthcoming years," he said.

"Sadly there have been some dramatic increases in our priority crime areas such as domestic burglaries and vehicle crime and it will be challenging to try and reduce that over the next year."

He added that 2002 sees the end of the first three-year crime reduction strategies in the South Somerset and Mendip District Council areas - strategies that have been instrumental in tackling crime and its causes.