Figures showing that violent crime committed by teenagers in Oxfordshire has risen by 50 per cent in two years are truly alarming.

However, many will not be surprised since we treat some young offenders with kid gloves.

Police must be disheartened when, after all their hard work in making arrests and getting them to court, they are let out to commit more crime.

It is pleasing to see that, according to the Youth Justice Board survey, youth crime overall in the county is dropping.

But it is worrying to see such a steep increase in violent offences.

Thankfully, we are not in the same position as other towns and cities, where knife and gun crime has resulted in death.

But there is clearly no room for complacency.

Of course, we don't want to criminalise youngsters for every offence - they must be given every opportunity to mend their ways and get their lives back on track. But we are too soft on persistent young offenders.

We echo the police plea that parents should show more responsibility to their children, even when they are well into their teens.

Too many sit back, let their offspring do as they wish and haven't the faintest idea what they are doing, until the police come knocking at the door.

They should be doing more to encourage youngsters to join youth clubs, take part in sport and enjoy the many other activities on offer.

There is no excuse for young people to commit any sort of crime.