Priorities - Young People Introduction Myths abound about adolescent involvement in crime.
Young people commit the majority of crimes.
Among young people, the only offence that comes close to the adult offending rate is burglary. Young people are violent and commit violent crimes. Violence by young people is rare and generally directed at their peers rather than at adults - young people are more often the victims of violence from adults. Most young people have been involved in some form of criminal activity. Of those who do offend, most 'grow out of it'.