THE HAGUE, 31/01/09 - Under the title of 'Setting boundaries and offering opportunities,' the cabinet decided Friday on a policy memorandum against criminal Moroccan teenagers. Its ambitions are however limited. "Existing policy will be strengthened."

"In a number of municipalities, incidents have occurred recently in which Moroccan-Dutch problem youngsters were involved," the cabinet says in the memorandum. "They behave very objectionably, cause serious nuisance or are guilty of vandalism, threats and intimidation. Citizens rightly expect that the government will take forceful action, but the problem is complex. The youngsters cause problems, but also have problems themselves".

The measures will be coupled with investments of around 40 million euros. "Existing policy will be strengthened, among other measures by aftercare from 1 April for all Moroccan-Dutch youngsters that leave a prison." There will also be "follow-up pilots of the so-called Effe Kappe ('Cut it Out') approach", under which after the occurrence of crime "a contract is made with the youngster involved" - without any legal significance.

The cabinet also wants to step up "collaboration with the Moroccan-Dutch community." There will be more Islamic street coaches, "who speak to the youngsters on the street, guide them when going to school, doing homework and acquiring social skills." This, too, is under the direction of the municipalities.

Additionally, the cabinet repeated a number of proposed bills already announced earlier on Friday. For example, it will be possible to impose a ban on criminal youngsters in a specific district. And persons aged under 27 who apply for welfare benefit must accept an offer of education or work.

Parents "who do not or not sufficiently carry out their child-rearing responsibilities will be spoken to about this." They can be offered social workers. If they refuse these, a judge can order them to accept the help "if necessary". The intention is that "a single permanent professional," instead of four or five different bodies, "will help high-risk Moroccan-Dutch families bring structure into the family during a number of days per week (...) on the principle of One Family, One Plan."