Nurseries asked to spot future criminals

The Home Secretary has called for early years settings to help spot children as young as three who may grow up to become criminals. Speaking in London last week at the Parent Child 2002 conference organised by the National Family and Parenting Institute, David Blunkett told delegates that nurseries, pre-schools and playgroups, and nursery classes in schools were places where young children from dysfunctional families could be assessed and their parents given support. He called on voluntary agencies to work with the Government to find ways of supporting families.