“DRASTIC” action is needed to protect Bournemouth and Poole residents from young offenders, according to a damning new report.

Following a reinspection of youth offending work earlier this year, HM Chief Inspector of Probation Andrew Bridges branded the towns’ youth rehabilitation services “very disappointing”.

Efforts to protect the public from risk of harm from young offenders scored just 36 per cent – the lowest out of all regions already inspected in England and Wales – and action to protect offenders also scored 36 per cent.

Work to prevent offenders from getting on the wrong side of the law again was done well enough just 45 per cent of the time.

Bournemouth and Poole youth offending work scores were all lower than those during a previous inspection by the independent Inspectorate of Probation.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “The Youth Justice Board will work with the local authority of poor-performing [youth offending teams] on a programme of action to make improvements.”

Anne Newton, chairman of the Bournemouth and Poole Youth Offending Service management board, said: “The board fully accepts the inspector’s findings and is implementing a robust and comprehensive action plan to address the recommendations set out in the report.

“We know that we must make urgent changes and have made a strong start in our efforts to improve the service. Since the reinspection a new, experienced management team has been appointed to lead the service and secure significant improvements which can already be seen in the areas identified for development.

“Our efforts are concentrated on a robust and deliverable improvement plan that will protect young people and the public from harm, and reduce the likelihood of young people offending again.”

John Drew, chief executive of the Youth Justice Board said: “The YJB has been working closely with the Bournemouth and Poole YOS to help it tackle the issues raised in the inspection report. There’s clearly still a great deal to do but we have been very impressed by the vigour and candour with which the management board has accepted the need to make changes.

“We are committed to supporting the YOS to help it overcome its challenges and make vital improvements over the next 12 months.”

Key findings

• An assessment of victim safety was carried out in only five of 21 cases and high priority given to victim safety in only five per cent of cases.

• Youth offending team (YOT) workers actively supported and encouraged young offenders throughout their sentence in less than two-thirds of cases and did not actively engage parents/carers in 42 per cent of community cases.

• Work with children was hampered by lack of suitable accommodation with meetings carried out in young offenders’ bedrooms, workers’ cars and the porch at the YOT.

• A number of young offenders were placed in “inappropriate accommodation,” including bed and breakfasts and hostels.