The Government's being urged to stop criminal behaviour before it starts by intervening early - even before a child is born.
A new report's been done by justice sector adviser Dr Ian Lambie.
He says targeting young children with social and mental health services is more effective and cheaper than prison or harsh punishments to reduce youth crime.
Lambie told Mike Hosking you have to identify and support families which are struggling, by focusing on children as early as infancy or even pre-birth.
"Comprehensive and evidence based parenting programmes, you need to look at the child's learning needs, behavioural difficulties and you need to intervene before the age of five."
LISTEN ABOVE AS IAN LAMBIE SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKINGÂ
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