Senior officers have launched a new plan to spread details of troubled youngsters between government agencies in a bid to monitor their development.

The initiative will also extend a scheme which gives some schools a full-time police presence, the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) said.

Its youth action plan for England, Wales and Northern Ireland would look to target young people believed to be at risk of becoming young offenders and control their behaviour.

It would also target those already inside the criminal justice system with the aim of preventing them becoming "spree" or repeat offenders.

Chief Constable of Essex Police Roger Baker said: "Whilst it is a small proportion of young people that commit crime, some of them do go on to become prolific offenders and cause great suffering and misery within our communities.

"It is vital that we have processes in place to identify these young people early in their criminal careers and develop the best youth justice practice to divert them from crime into more positive activities and lifestyles.

He said persistent or serious offenders would face the "full weight of the law" and be rehabilitated afterwards in their communities.

The Government welcomed the moves. Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said: "In particular I support the emphasis placed on prevention and engaging young people in their communities to identify and support those at risk.

"Only a small proportion of children and young people come into contact with the criminal justice system as offenders and we are committed to improving support for young victims and witnesses to tackle reoffending.