YOUTH crime and gang fighting as been the scourge of many communities in Glasgow for far too long.

Violence in the name of a gang reputation or misplaced territorial loyalty has destroyed families and ruined lives as young men end up dead or in prison.

The latest report showing an almost halving of some of the most serious crimes committed by youths is a success and is testament to the efforts of police, social work and the various agencies who are involved in prevention tactics.

The nature of these crimes mean that there is still too many but the trend is definitely heading quickly in the right direction and given the scale of the problem not so long ago these efforts must be recognised and it has to be ensured they are continued.

It is too simple to say these young people just need to be engaged with, listened to and given a direction, as many have complex problems, but the efforts of agencies to get involved with them in the communities are paying off.

Rather than demonise young people and threaten to lock them up this approach is paying off and at the same time is giving them self respect and the ability to see a better life than the spiral of violence and crime.

We must welcome this reduction and work to see it continue.