The number of crimes committed by young reoffenders in Bucks is on the rise.

A report published by the Buckinghamshire Youth Offending Service (YOS) says it has faced a “challenging” 12 months in terms of performance, despite an array of “exceptional results” in recent years.

The proportion of young people reoffending “fluctuated considerably” in Bucks between 2014 and 2016 and has now risen to 42.7 per cent - exceeding the national and Thames Valley averages.

The YOS says the number of young people who reoffend has actually “reduced considerably” over the last five years, but the average number of crimes committed per reoffender has increased.

A total of 103 young offenders committed new crimes in 2015 to 16 compared with 182 during the same period five years earlier.

However the average number of crimes committed per reoffender has increased from 2.5 to 3.6.

The data was revealed in the YOS’ Buckinghamshire Youth Justice Strategic plan for 2018 to 2019 – which will be discussed by Bucks County Council’s cabinet on Monday, September 10.

The YOS works with a number of partners including police, children’s services and health services to help prevent offending and reoffending by young people below the age of 18.

Local Police Area Commander for Aylesbury, Supt Tim Metcalfe, said: “Having achieved some exceptional results in recent years, the YOS performance over the last twelve months has been more challenging.

“On the positive side we continue to have exceptionally low numbers of young people entering the youth justice system for the first time – an excellent example of the youth justice partnership working together closely to offer effective alternatives to the need for formal intervention.

“The number of young people reoffending also continues to show a significant reduction over the last five years which is important given that this remains the over-arching aim of the service.

“However, we have seen a rise in the number of young people receiving custodial sentences and comparatively our performance against regional and national averages has declined slightly in the last year giving us some clear priorities for 2018-19.”

The YOS says it faces a number of “key challenges” including the “increasing complexity” of the young people who are being worked with, who have often experienced trauma at a young age.

It also plans to improve communications with BCC’s children’s social care department, and will work with other partners to develop a “coherent and consistent response” to all forms of child exploitation.

The cabinet is recommended to refer to strategic plan to full council for approval.