NEW measures have been unveiled to help the North West's 12,000 young runaways.

And the action by the Government will help the under 16s solve their problems before they reach crisis point as well as providing young runaways with safe havens and someone to talk to.

Latest figures released this week disclose there were 4,596 runaways from care homes throughout Greater Manchester and 3,539 first time runaways. Overall, there were 5,935 runaway incidents.

Statistics also reveal that 14.16 per cent of Greater Manchester's total population are youngsters aged between five and 15

Now, a fund of up to £3 million from the Government's Children and Young People's Unit will back more than 25 flagship projects to reduce the number of children running away from such care homes.

The objective is to build up a better understanding of how best to help runaways and prevent young people from running away in the first place.

A Government report reveals the problems faced by such youngsters, the widespread extent of running away and its potentially negative consequences. The key facts include:

Runaways are five times more likely than their peers to have problems with drugs and seven times more likely to have been physically abused

77,000 young people will run away every year

20,000 are under the age of 11

One in 14 will end up begging, stealing or getting involved with drugs and prostitution.

The Government measures aim to tackle such incidents and these involve:

Better local co-ordination for young runaways in every area of the country

New flexible approaches to emergency accommodation, including better access to foster care placements for runaways

Better information for teachers to help prevent young people from running away

Guaranteed follow-up support and advice for the most vulnerable young runaways.