The successful 'Circuit Breaker' fast track programme designed to stop repeat youth offending was launched in two new locations today by Children's Minister Kelvin Davis. The programme, first piloted in West and South Auckland in December last year, is aimed at children aged 10-13 who commit serious offending or continue to reoffend at a high rate and need a more intensive, wrap-around approach. Now underway in three other regions - Auckland Central, Hamilton, and Christchurch - the programme will now be offered in Whangrei and Rotorua. It sees Police immediately share a child's information with Oranga Tamariki within 24 hours after they offend, with an agreed plan in place on how to deal with and support the young person within 48 hours. "Public safety is always a top priority and while youth offending has been trending down for some time, we know there is a very small group of young offenders whose age and complex underlying issues mean they are falling through t