YMCA England has responded to figures released by the Youth Justice Board last week which showed that the number of young people in custody in England and Wales has reached crisis point.

Last week the board said that 3,350 young people were being held and action was needed to stop a 'meltdown'.

"These figures are a wake up call to the government that more needs to be done to tackle youth offending," said Angela Sarkis, national secretary of YMCA England.

"In all the furore about prison numbers we have forgotten the need to stop young people getting into trouble in the first place," she said.

"It is hard graft to work with young people at risk of offending and one which YMCAs do every day all over the country."

Sarkis said that fewer young people would be caught up in crime if more young people were given support in their communities as she stressed the need for more prevention measures.

"A large number of offences are committed by those who have offended before. We need both prevention and cure."

"If the right support isn't in place for young offenders, custody can become a revolving door to a life of crime.

The board also warned that only a handful of beds are free and children were being held hundreds of miles from their families.

"Locking up young people at great distance from their families can cut them off from valuable support. This could lead to an increase in re-offending on release."

The YMCA has called for more post-release measures to minimise re-offending among released young offenders.

"We shouldn't act surprised that this crisis has arisen. It has been blindingly obvious for years.

'The government needs to fight the corner for community sentencing and be willing to pay for it."

YMCA England's Prisons unit is currently working with young offenders in prison to help them make a fresh start by offering training in life and social skills, volunteering opportunities, and housing advice.

The unit also provides post-release support by helping them resettle into the community, find a job, join an education or training course, and live in suitable accommodation.