The annual report of the committee appointed to monitor the effectiveness of the Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme reveals that 9% of all recorded crimes in 2014 were committed by juveniles.

The report shows the number of young people being referred to the Programme has fallen to its lowest level since the initiative began over a decade ago. Garda sources said that the reduction in the number of referrals was due to youth crime mirroring a general decline in all crime, while there was also a correlation between an increase in education levels, a decrease in the use of alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs and a reduction in youth crime.......