Call to reform child repeat offenders

THE Government was yesterday urged to adopt an effective approach to the problem of children who were persistent offenders.

The number of child repeat offenders was small in most communities, childrens’ rights agency Barnardos said.

Barnardos has proposed cuts in the time to bring children to court; quick intervention for children most at risk; bail supervision; community-based responses to dealing with children at risk; punishments appropriate to age, and investment in projects for children and their families in neighbourhoods ravaged by crime.