The Oxfordshire Youth Offending Service had been created to reduce the incidence of youth offenders in the county. But as reports claim, there are more and more young delinquents on the rise now. What else do you think could be the problem?

You know how sometimes, the more you ban something, the more people want to do it? Maybe that's it. Maybe it's the thrill of not being caught.

The youth's raging hormones and their apparent lack of concern regarding their own mortality may also be a factor. In some cases, lack of parental guidance may also be worsening the situation. Just my 2 cents.

its more like youths at this stage are trying to find their own identity and they might think that the rest of the world is agaisnt them or doesn't see their point of view... the issue here is not how to stop or prevent youths from doing something... rather it is trying to understand them and get them to understand the concequences of things they do to themselves or close ones... sometimes its hard for them to see.. but with paitence and the right methods anything is possible... there is no set formula... a method may work on one individual but totally useless on the other

This is quite an interesting discussion. You haven't written much about what exactly the Oxfordshire Youth Offending Service does to reduce incidence of youth offenders in the county.

As far as I know, offenders are very bitter people or very sick people. Either way they need help. Penalizing them will just destroy them if they are sick and make them more bitter if they are already embittered by their negative life experiences.

The truth is that life isn't exactly "sweet" to many of us. Some of these offenders might have grown up under terrifying circumstances that make them view the world as a hostile place. Naturally, they can only return the hostility.

I know it is very difficult for a victim to view offense in this manner. But, many a time, a little bit of kindness and understanding does go long miles in softening a hardened heart. After all, people only need love!