Youth workers are claiming a victory after the number of crimes committed by young people in the county dropped by nearly a fifth.

Two thousand and two offences were committed by under-18s last year - down 17.74 per cent on 2006/07 and 21.85 per cent on 2000.

Oxfordshire County Council highlighted Barton, Oxford - in the top 30 per cent most deprived areas nationally - as a particular success story.

In that part of the city, there has been a 41 per cent reduction in court orders for under-18s since 2004, the council said.

Joseph Nwokobia, deputy head of the county council's Youth Offending Service, said early intervention was fundamental in reducing the number of new entrants into the criminal justice system.

He said: "The statistics are very positive and I'm very proud of what has been achieved in Oxfordshire - it's fantastic."

From 2006/07 to 2007/08, the number of young offenders dropped 12 per cent from 1,551 to 1,358. Rates for not reoffending have also been rated among the best 20 per cent nationally.

Youth Offending Service head Tan Lea explained that, by working with police, youth workers had been able to make young people realise the consequences of crime.

She said: "We offer an intensive programme of activities and interventions to support young people at risk of offending.

"We also work with victims of crime and, if they are willing to meet the offender, we set up opportunities to repair the harm that has been caused."

Schemes include making offenders write to victims and undertake community work where they live, such as litter picking.

Mrs Lea said the council had worked directly with young people, families and schools, and even firefighters, to set troublemakers straight.

For example, the Phoenix Project - a six-week programme run in partnership with Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service - focused on children facing expulsion from school.

Mrs Lea explained: "The project aimed to teach young people about self-discipline, team work, determination and self-confidence through practising normal fire service training, drills and theory."

Three of the five participants have since joined the fire cadets and another the army cadets.

Other initiatives highlighted by the council included fishing courses, babysitting programmes and trips to the Brecon Beacons and Cotswold Wildlife Park.

County councillor Louise Chapman, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "It's a fantastic result, especially when put in the national context of rising youth crime.

"Our youth workers say they have seen markedly improved behaviour from people who have taken part in these schemes."