ALMOST 500 CITY TEENS AVOID COURT THROUGH JUVENILE PROGRAMME

Date Published: 06-Dec-2011

Almost 500 young offenders have been referred to the Juvenile Diversion Programme for breaking the law this year.

The City Joint Policing Committee was told that most of crimes the teenagers had committed were shoplifting, often due to "peer pressure".

A further 55 ASBOs were issued to youngsters in the city since last January.

Chief Superintendent O'Cualáin said the programme was giving teenagers a second chance rather than putting them through the criminal justice system.