THE number of yobs repeatedly committing crimes has soared by 60% since Labour came to power, new figures revealed today.

Ministry of Justice figures revealed that the number of Persistent Young Offenders (PYOs) in England and Wales increased from 9,868 in 1997 to 15,819 last year.

The number of offences they commit each year has risen by more than 80% - to nearly 80 every day.

A Persistent Young Offender is someone aged 10-17 sentenced for a recordable offence three times or more over three years.

The figures were revealed to the Tories in written parliamentary answers.

Shadow police minister David Ruffley said the system is failing to deal with offenders.

He said: "Police officers are concerned that a huge amount of their time is spent dealing with the same repeat young offenders that the criminal justice system fails to keep off the streets or rehabilitate. I agree with the police that this revolving door of criminality is unacceptable.

"These new figures show that Labour Ministers have presided over a decade of yobbery."