A PIONEERING campus cops scheme has helped cut knife crime and youth offences, a report out today shows.

Officials in East Renfrewshire have been praised for adopting tactics used in Denmark to drive down levels of anti-social behaviour.

Three full-time officers were stationed at Woodfarm High in Thornliebank, Eastwood High in Newton Mearns, and Barrhead High to tackle troublemakers and identify potential offenders.

The model is based on a successful Danish system and brings together all local agencies to combat youth crime.

Figures show the number of referrals to the children's reporter dropped 31% from 212 in 2005 to 145 in 2007.

The number of youngsters caught with offensive weapons fell by 21% from 122 to 96 and recorded vandalism was down from 1846 to 1563.

The scheme aims to create strong communities by tackling anti-social behaviour early on and employing diversionary tactics.

The officers address issues related to under-age drinking, cyber-bullying', anti-social behaviour, drugs and gang violence. They are backed up by the council's social work department and the school.

Teachers, police officers, health and social workers, and housing officers then discuss a teenager's offending and find ways to tackle the causes.

A referral group takes on young offenders who would otherwise have to wait weeks before being dealt with by the children's panel or courts.

The referral group draws up a plan aimed at stopping the offending, which may include police visiting the youth's parents, providing drug and alcohol counselling, or activities such as football or a Duke of Edinburgh award.

Councillor Douglas Yates, East Renfrewshire's health and social care convener, said: "This approach offers guidance and assistance to young people who may be flirting with crime.

"For example, the police may refer a young person who is a new face in a gang.

"This action can help to prevent a bystander from taking the next steps to becoming a perpetrator."

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "The vast majority of young people are well behaved and a credit to their communities.

"However we do need to tackle the small minority that cause problems.

"The school, social work, police and community project pioneered in East Renfrewshire gives us clear evidence that early and effective action can have a massive impact on the lives of young people and in communities."

The scheme was funded by a £250,000 grant from the Scottish Government.