Young crime victim reports double

The number of violent crimes against young people reported to Victim Support doubled in the first half of this year, according to figures released by the organisation.

Victim Support said the relatives of 18 young people who were killed in the first six months of 2003 had contacted it for help, compared to eight in the same period last year.

It said 61 young victims of sexual crimes had also sought help in the first half of this year, compared to 37 in the first six months of 2002.