Mr. Martin Callinan:

Our policy on young people involved in crime is clear.

We have a criminal youth diversion programme in place designed under statute for the purpose of youngsters not coming through the courts system. We would always encourage people, particularly young people up to 17 years of age, not to commit crime because that is what we are about, namely, the prevention and thereafter the detection of crime. We would at all times discourage people getting involved in criminal activity but we are aware that a number of people choose to ignore any advice or assistance given. We are working very hard on that with communities, particularly through joint policing committees, community fora, etc. We will discuss community policing shortly but we are trying desperately hard to get the message through to people that crime does not pay. These youngsters in communities see some of the people who are involved at the higher end driving high-powered cars and having a different lifestyle and they would like to emulate their lifestyle. We try very hard to prevent that but it is clear that we do not get through to everybody.