NORTH Yorkshire's top police officer has called on the public to give kids a break.

Chief Constable Della Cannings has hit out at "prejudiced" residents who brand all young people as trouble.

She said in many cases people needed to change their perceptions, rather than force youngsters to alter their behaviour.

York youth leaders said her comments were a "welcome change of tack".

Ms Cannings said: "I have a major concern that some young people are becoming labelled and are condemned to be pushed outside of society.

"Quite frankly, if as a youth I had been treated like they are I would have bristled and rebelled.

"I can understand why they are like they are.

"We do not want to condemn these youngsters to a future life where they are excluded from society, but one that gets them engaged."

The Chief Constable also underlined the important role parents played, together with schools and other groups.

She said: "The only people who do not seem to have performance indicators these days are parents."

She also revealed her fears that some individuals and families could suffer "intervention overload" at the hands of social care groups.

She said this "sends the wrong message" to some people who can become over- reliant on other services and unable to solve problems for themselves.

"If we are not careful, they will think other people are there to do things for them, rather than to enable them to grow and develop," she added.

Bob Purrington, a York youth group manager with more than 25 years experience, said: "It is important for everyone to differentiate between what is growing up behaviour and what is antisocial behaviour."

York councillor Ceredig Jamieson-Ball said Ms Cannings' comments were "helpful and encouraging".

He said: "There is obviously a long way to go to change the perception of young people."

Updated: 10:23 Monday, October 04, 2004