Porn blamed as sex offences by juveniles treble

THE number of sex crimes carried out by juveniles has nearly trebled, official figures show.

Both rape crisis groups and Garda sources have suggested that easier access to hard-core pornography is a factor in the increase.

Figures on juvenile crime also show a doubling in the number of robberies perpetrated by juveniles (between the ages of 10 and 18). Gardaí say much of this involves the robbery of smartphones.