A youth worker says the best way to tackle crime, is to remove troubled youths from their families.

LISTEN ABOVE: Rod Bell, CEO of Bluelight, speaks to Larry Williams on Mike Hosking Breakfast 

There are concerns ever-younger teenagers are committing more violent crimes, and it's being attributed to less than ideal family environments.

A 14-year-old boy was arrested in New Lynn after allegedly assaulting a 62-year-old woman - the latest in a string of similar incidents.

Bluelight CEO Rod Bell told Larry Williams they have an incredible success rate with those sentenced to youth jail.

He said three meals a day, combined with a bit of work and going to bed at a reasonable time can make a big difference to a young life.

Bell said the ages of offenders and seriousness of the crimes are worrying.

"We often say some of these young people could be a lot worse" considering the circumstances they've been brought up in, he said.

He said the common theme is that parents need to be parents and take responsibility.

But he adds while offenders may be getting younger and more violent, overall crime has dropped over the last few years.