The Shanghai government will admit non-local youths into a youth crime prevention program as offenses committed by this group have climbed significantly in the city, officials said in a government meeting on Wednesday.

Migrant juvenile delinquency increased 127 percent from 2004 to 2008 while the rate for locals had decreased 27 percent in the same period.

"Crimes committed by non-local minors have risen in recent years due to lack of migrant youth management," said Cai Zhong, director of the Shanghai Community Youth Affairs Office.

In the past, the city's youth affairs program focused on people aged 16 to 25 who have local resident certificates, but no longer attend school and are unemployed.

But juveniles from outside Shanghai accounted for 76 percent of all youth crimes in the city last year, up 51.7 percent from 2004.

More job opportunities and training courses will also be provided to migrant youth.

(Shanghai Daily July 16, 2009)