§ 3. Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what strategies he is pursuing to encourage young people into activities which are considered alternatives to crime. [149950]
§ Mr. George HowarthThere has, for many years in Northern Ireland, been a wide range of initiatives at local level directed towards encouraging young people into more constructive activity. Most of these initiatives, however, now fall within the responsibility of the devolved Administration in Northern Ireland.
The Community Affairs Branch of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, in partnership with other bodies, carry out work with young people, who either have committed crime or are deemed at risk of offending, aimed at diverting them away from criminal activity.