Figures show drop in youth crime

Early intervention has helped identify teenagers at risk of offending

The number of young people committing crimes for the first time has fallen in Devon, police figures show.

Youth offending teams (YOTs) said there was a "distinct downward trend" in the number of teenagers getting into trouble with the law.

The biggest fall has been in Torbay, with the number dropping by 34%, from 299 to 196, in the past year.

In Devon there was a 22% drop, and in Plymouth levels fell by 20%. Repeat offences were also down.

The reduction has been attributed to greater partnership working between police, health, education and the voluntary sector.

Reparation is all about getting young people to take responsibility for their actionse Rebecca Rushden, Torbay youth worker

Sue McGrath, acting head of the Devon YOT, said there has also been a lot of effort on early intervention to identify young people who might be at risk of developing criminal behaviour.

"That might include working with parents and parents' support programmes," she told BBC News.

"It may also include specific one-to-one activities to positively engage young people, capture their interest and help them realise the consequences of their behaviour."

The YOTs said a lot of emphasis has been placed on "reparation" - a process of repaying a debt to society - which can involve unpaid community work or meeting victims to hear how they have been affected by crime.

Rebecca Rushden, a youth worker in Torbay, said reparation can help prevent further offending.

"Reparation is all about getting young people to take responsibility for their actions and it actually teaches them about their community and how positive it is to give something back," she said.