Dundee City Council social work director Alan Baird said the strategy to reduce youth crime involves prevention, diversion, intensive responses to persistent and serious offending and responding to victims.

He said persistent offender numbers dropped from 80 in 2005/06 to 67 last year, a 16% reduction.

Offence referrals from the police to the SCRA were down from 1968 in 2005/06 to 1467, a fall of 25%.

Mr Baird said the main types of crime committed by children in 2006/07 were assault, breach of the peace, vandalism and theft.

He said there had also been a reduction in all types of youth offences reported to the SCRA — in particular contraventions of the Road Traffic Act which include riding motor bikes, mini-motos or cars without a licence or insurance — of more than 40% from 268 to 159.

Two anti-social behaviour orders against children were granted last year but six children in total were considered for Asbos.

The other four received other disposals and services through the Children’s Hearing system, including intensive support and monitoring and placements in foster, residential or secure care.

Work on reducing youth crime in Dundee was recently commended by Audit Scotland as a national model of good practice.

Social work and health committee convener Helen Wright said, “We are determined to make Dundee a safer city and our success in reducing youth crime is based on all the relevant agencies and council departments working together.

“The reduction in the number of persistent offenders indicates the sustained investment and effort that has been put into tackling youngsters’ behaviour before they get into a persistent pattern.”

Councillor Wright said agencies in the city were working with youngsters every day to address risk factors for crime.

“In some cases the concern may be lack of proper parenting or school problems, home breakdown, neglect or underage drinking,” she said.