YOUTH crime in Limerick is down over 20% from last year, according to figures just released by the Irish Youth Justice Service.
Sergeant Ollie Kennedy, Henry Street Garda Station, said that Garda Youth Diversion Projects set up across the city have played a huge role in reducing these figures.
“The idea is to divert young people who have come to the attention of the Gardaí away from crime”.
The number of children referred to Limerick Gardaí in 2009 dropped by over 20%, from 1,680 to 1,314
The number of children referred to the city’s Garda Youth Diversion projects dropped by 14% in 2009, from 1,109 to 951.
There are five Garda Youth Diversion projects in Limerick City; Irishtown, Moyross, King’s Island, Ballynanty and the Southside Project and one in Newcastle West.
When someone is referred, Gardaí approach their parents and discuss the possibility of entering a youth diversion project.
Sgt Kennedy has been encouraged by the number of young people who have returned to education and completed their Leaving Cert through these projects.
“We get the guys who feel they could be going down the wrong road and we show them there is an alternative”.
Activities and programmes include car projects, watersport, bike projects and arts & crafts.
“It’s important to break down barriers between the young people at risk and the Gardaí.
“Just last week I saw young people kayaking with Gardaí and it’s was very good humoured and gave them a chance to see the Gardai are human,” said the Henry Street Sergeant.
He explained that they attempt to make young people more conscious of their role in the community.
“If there is a group harmlessly hanging around in an estate shouting and roaring, an elderly person who lives alone might think they are up to something so they should be conscious of how they are perceived”.
