A SCHEME which brings young offenders face-to-face with their victims has reduced rates of reoffending in Bolton.

Bolton Youth Offending Team (YOT) has brought victims and young offenders together in around 40 per cent of cases since the scheme was launched two years ago.

The team's latest figures show just five out of the 86 or 5.8 per cent who took part in the "reparation" sessions within the last year have reoffended one of the lowest figures in the country.

Frank Nolan, the YOT's reparation supervisor, said: "Our overall reoffending rate is 19.8pc which shows just how successful this scheme has been.

"As well as giving closure to the victim is allows the offender to see how they have affected someone's life."

Once an offender has been convicted and allocated to the scheme, the YOT approaches the victims and invites them to a meeting with the youngster at their headquarters. It's a very controlled and well-supervised atmosphere in which we give the victim the chance to ask questions," added Mr Nolan.

"Normally they want to know why they were targeted and it can be very reassuring for them to hear that they were not singled out."

In cases where victims are too frightened to meet the offender, the YOT will help them to write a letter.

Cllr John Rothwell, executive member for community safety and social inclusion, said: "It shows that Bolton is taking very positive steps in showing offenders the very real results of their actions."

Along with their supervisors, they have cleared the overgrown areas around Ladybridge Lane footpath between the estate and Chorley New Road, an area of rough ground around Broughton Street and overgrown bushes around Cox Green Road, Egerton.