THE success of a youth offending service in spreading news of its work has been rewarded.

Sunderland's Youth Offending Service, and its partners in Gateshead and South Tyneside, took first place in the Press category of the Youth Justice Board's Press and PR Awards 2002.

The award recognises the media coverage the services achieved for the Intensive Surveillance and Supervision Project (ISSP), which replaces custodial sentences with a combination of supervision, education, training and surveillance of young offenders.

Programme manager Alan Donnelly said: "Media coverage is vital in letting the public learn more about the innovative approach of the ISSP in dealing with young offenders.

"It's all part of the need to reduce people's fear of crime and let them know something constructive is being done for young offenders who might be tempted to commit crime."