CRIME in Rossendale is set to be cut thanks to a new shelter - built by convicted offenders.

The shelter, which opened officially yesterday, is designed to give youngsters a place to gather away from residents who raised concerns about juvenile nuisance and anti-social behaviour on the Staghills Estate, Newchurch.

PC Denise Barlow, who led the project, said: "Seeing offenders serve their sentence by contributing positively to the community adds to the success of this unique crime-cutting project.

"The youth shelter will be an excellent new amenity that everyone agrees is both much needed and will improve the community's environment and safety."

Lorraine Slater, the Probation Service's community pay back' practice manager, added: "We supervise offenders so they pay back' to local communities for the harm caused by their offending.

"It's a practical demonstration of a tough sentence imposed by the court as a punishment for crime and it enables offenders to benefit the public, make reparation and gain work experience and skills to find employment, thus reducing re-offending."

The shelter idea was put forward at a public meeting attended by more than 150 people.

Youngsters also attended and asked for somewhere to hang out'.

The land was donated by Rossendale United, and club director Steve Hobson said: "We are keen to be good neighbours and that is why we offered this land to build a youth shelter. Community cohesion is the way forward."