A new scheme has been launched to help steer young people away from a path of crime before they even set foot on it.

The Youth Inclusion Service being set up by the Wiltshire Youth Offending Team will target youngsters between the ages of 10 to 17 thought to be at risk of falling into bad behaviour.

It is to be tried out in the Adcroft area of Trowbridge, which includes the Seymour estate, before being expanded to other areas and will include up to 50 youngsters at first.

Ian Langley from the youth offending team said: "The aim is to provide diversionary activities for youngsters thought to be at risk of offending.

"It is not about rewarding bad behaviour and it is not about those who have already been in a lot of trouble it is about reducing the number of young people entering the courts system."

The scheme will be worked in partnerships with many other organisations including the police, schools, the Connexions service and local councils, all of whom will be able to recommend children they feel could benefit from taking part.

Insp Dave Cullop of Trowbridge police said: "There are schemes aimed at young people but they tend to be for those already in trouble. This is about reaching them before they are at that stage."

People living in Adcroft will also be able to come forward with the names of teenagers causing disruption. Mr Langley said: "It is in the early stages and the next few months will be mainly planning but it is very much a community process as to how we go forward with it."

The project is based on a model of similar work carried out in inner city areas. The Adcroft area in Trowbridge was chosen for the pilot after consideration of 120 wards in west and north Wiltshire because it scored in the top 10 or 12 in most crime areas.

"In the context of the whole of Wiltshire it is still a low crime area. We are not saying it is an area that is rife with crime because it certainly isn't. The main issues raised by residents there are litter, dog fouling and mini motobikes, so it is quite low level stuff."

The team hopes youngsters themselves will be involved in what diversionary activities are offered to them and will be able to speak out about what they feel they need.

A similar scheme called Project Salamander is run by Salisbury Fire Brigade and allows young people to spend a week with fire fighters. "It isn't about climbing ladders it is about teamwork and helping young people who perhaps haven't had that experience before to learn those skills," said Insp Cullop.