THE North-East has played host to some of the worst young offenders in the country. The hope is that those seeking to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Homing Pigeon Boy, Rat Boy and Laughing Boy could now see their criminal careers curtailed by the tagging system.

But doubt has been cast as to whether the tags will stop prolific offenders.

One of the worst, Homing Pigeon Boy, alias Shaun McKerry, was so named because he kept returning home after committing his crimes. The 18-year-old from Coundon, County Durham, has been arrested more than 80 times since his first offence as an 11-year-old.

He headed up a gang of persistent young offenders police believe were responsible for more than 1,000 crimes over four years.

Phil Graham, a county councillor for Coundon, said: "I fear Shaun McKerry is just beyond redemption and would see a tag as just another challenge.

"I doubt whether any measures the Home Secretary introduces will have any effect on him."