People from all walks of life are needed to put right harm caused by young offenders and prevent them committing further crimes.

Young first-time offenders stand in front of magistrates often terrified about their fate and in no state to take in what is happening to them.

By the same token, residents of communities where youngsters offend have little say in how the young offenders should atone for their crimes and be diverted into constructive activities.

But that is about to change with the introduction of youth offender panels.

From April next year, courts in Sussex and all other counties will issue referral orders to all first-time offenders aged between 10 and 17.

Youngsters will be ordered to sit down with a youth offender panel, which will meet in an office, church hall or centre in their local community.

The panels will comprise a member of the local youth offending team and at least two volunteers from the community.

Panels will investigate the causes of the offence with the youngster and their family and draw up a programme of activity aimed at tackling their behaviour and preventing reoffending.

Youngsters may agree to a variety of actions, including writing a letter of apology to victims, performing conservation or community work, removing graffiti or helping in a care home for the elderly.

They may also agree to attend school, receive anger-management counselling, undergo drink or drugs counselling or a course on how to avoid peer pressure.

Duncan Young, co-ordinator for the referral panel in Brighton and Hove, said: "The aim is to nip offending in the bud and to give the community and the offender opportunities to prevent further crime.

"Whatever is agreed with the offender, a contract is drawn up and he or she will be expected to have completed agreed actions by a certain date. If they fail, they can be sent back to court."

Panels will monitor the offender's compliance with the programme of activity.

Those who successfully complete their course of action will have their convictions automatically "spent" or disregarded and will then have no criminal record to blight their future prospects.

Youth offending teams in Brighton and Hove, West Sussex and East Sussex are currently gearing up for the change and are appealing for panel volunteers and for businesses to donate office space where panels can sit.

A point that could be controversial is that no solicitor will be present for the young offender at the panel meetings. But Mr Young said there was no need for one: "Solicitors have their say and make their arguments in court and are party to the decision to make referrals to offender panels."

Brighton and Hove currently deals with 25 first-time young offenders every year and West and East Sussex have about 40 each.

It is hoped panels can be set up in every community to ensure newcomers to crime are prevented from reoffending.

Mr Young said he would ideally like to see like a panel on every estate in Brighton and Hove.

Inspector Paul Richardson, assistant manager of the project, said: "This is bringing justice into the community and down to a grass-roots level.

"Community volunteers will help make decisions about young offenders living in their own areas."

Mr Young said the panels also gave young offenders a say about what should happen to them.

Volunteers would be vetted and Mark Burden, project co-ordinator for West Sussex, said panels would be open to people from all walks of life.

Even people with records for minor and long-past crimes could apply.

Since the summer of last year, pilot schemes have been run in seven areas outside Sussex and all have reported positive feedback.

Home Office minister Beverley Hughes, in launching the initiative, said: "Young people need to understand that whenever a crime is committed, there are consequences. In many cases a person suffers and there is a very real effect on people in their wider community.

"Too many people are either victims of crime or living in fear. From April 1, 2002, they will be able to do something about it."

She said 5,000 volunteers were needed nationwide: "These people will have a major role in dealing with young offenders, helping them face up to what they have done, making sure they do not offend again and trying to put right the wrong they have done.

"Anyone who cares about crime in their community should consider applying."

Anyone interested in volunteering to become a panel member should call Mr Young (Brighton and Hove) on 01273 296169, Mark Burden (West Sussex) on 01903 718739 or 01825 768297 for East Sussex.