THE NUMBER of children involved in crime has jumped by 20 per cent in just two years, driven mainly by an increase in alcohol-related offences.
Official Garda figures to be published shortly also show that more younger children are getting in trouble with the law, with about 1,500 cases involving those between seven and 12 years of age.
Overall, the number of under-18s referred to the Garda's youth diversion programme - which cautions rather than prosecutes children - has risen from 17,500 in 2005 to more than 21,000 last year.
Alcohol-related crime has risen by about one-third in recent years, while criminal damage, burglary and vehicle offences have either fallen or remained relatively steady.
Senior gardaí believe much of the increase in alcohol-related crime is due to the enforcement of new public order legislation in recent years, as well as extra gardaí on the beat.
A detailed breakdown on youth crime for 2005 to 2007 is due to be published shortly.
The figures for 2005 show alcohol-related offences accounted for most crime (20 per cent), followed by theft (18 per cent), criminal damage (10 per cent) and public order (9 per cent).
Most children in trouble with the law are from urban areas, with some of the highest numbers coming from west and south Dublin, Cork city and Limerick city.
Youth diversion schemes - which aim to divert children away from offending behaviour - are a key part of the Garda's strategy to tackle young offenders.
Under this system children suspected of committing offences are given a second chance by agreeing to actions such as apologising or compensating a victim or taking part in sporting or recreational activities.
While most offences involving young people are dealt with through the Garda's juvenile diversion programme, more serious cases are referred to the courts.
Insp Finbarr Murphy, head of the Garda's national juvenile office, said the proportion of cases deemed suitable for the diversion programme had climbed from 55 per cent to 75 per cent in recent years.
"The vast majority of cases are not going through the courts, which is a very positive development," Insp Murphy said. "We're dealing with these cases by working with children, their families and their communities, trying to get them to change their pattern of behaviour. The alternative is going to court, where a child gets a conviction and carries that scar with them throughout their life."
New research on recidivism rates indicates that the diversion programme is operating successfully.
Figures show that almost 70 per cent of offending children who were referred to the diversion schemes had not re-offended within a year, although this fell to 60 per cent within two years.
In contrast to the widespread use of the diversion programme, gardaí have not yet sought any anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos) against children, latest figures show.
Asbos were introduced by the Government prior to the general election as a new way of tackling nuisance behaviour.
The tiered system of Asbos for children mean that gardaí must explore alternatives such as "good behaviour warnings" before an Asbo can be taken out. At least 150 of these behaviour warnings have been issued over the last year.
The measure, championed by former minister for justice Michael McDowell, was heavily criticised by children's rights campaigners who said the system was not necessary and threatened to undermine the existing diversion system.
