YOUNG PEOPLE and those involved with youth justice in Angus got together in Arbroath yesterday to discuss ways of preventing young people getting involved in crime and other types of anti-social behaviour.

The Angus Youth Justice Seminar, organised by Angus Council through its Youth Justice Forum, took place in Angus College Business Centre, Arbroath.

Managers and practitioners in the youth justice field and young people from across the county took part in workshops and discussions to explore ways young people can be kept away from involvement in crime and anti-social behaviour.

Views already gathered from locals were also shared, with those taking part looking at the public’s perception of young people and what can be done to improve things for them in Angus.

In attendance was George Nedley, representing the Scottish Government’s Youth Justice Team, who gave those attending the national picture in relation to youth crime prevention.

Police Sergeant Fergus Storrier, who is the youth justice co-ordinator for Angus and also plays a leading role in the Arbroath-based Showcase the Street performing arts project for young people, said the seminar was an important step towards addressing the positive role young people can, and do, play in the life of communities.

Among the organisations represented yesterday were LMart—the Local Multi-Agency Resource Teams which aim to help young people in Angus develop their potential and contribute positively to their communities—The Web, Tayside Council on Alcohol, Angus College and Tayside Fire and Rescue.