problems like juvenile crime and teenage pregnancies, according to a rising star in the Democratic Party.

Governor of Indiana Evan Bayh -- due to give the keynote speech at the Democratic convention in Chicago later this month -- said: "One of the great things about the American system is we have 50 different states.

"We all experiment and we all share our ideas on what works -- we have no hesitation about borrowing ideas from other states and they call us to see what is working with us.

"Perhaps Bermuda could learn from us and vice versa -- we would be happy to share our ideas and likewise if there are things which are successful in Bermuda we would like to hear about them.'' Governor Bayh was speaking after delivering a speech to Hamilton Rotary Club on Tuesday.

He and wife Susan, with their twin baby boys, have been staying with US Consul-General Bob Farmer at the US Consul's residence in Paget.

Governor Bayh told Rotary his state had seen a "significant increase'' in teenage pregnancies and rising crime and violence, especially among young teenagers.

He said the key to beating crime among the young was to target primary school-aged children. Governor Bayh added that some 14- and 15-year-olds were already hardened criminals.

He said: "It breaks my heart to say this, but if we wait until they are 14, 15 or 16, we have waited too long. We really have to get them involved at 8, 9 and 10 in school and community activities.'' And he said the law in Indiana had been changed to allow juveniles convicted of serious crimes like rape and murder to be sentenced as adults.

But he added that Indiana had found exposing non-violent teenage criminals to adult prisoners increased the chances of them becoming repeat offenders.

He said: "They are treated separately in the hope that we can get them off the path of crime.'' He added that boot camp-style detention centres offering "a sort of shock therapy'' for teenage minor criminals had been set up, although their effectiveness in preventing repeat offences had yet to be fully proved.