Police in Antigua and Barbuda are investigating whether adults are recruiting or influencing juveniles involved in firearm offences and other serious crimes.

Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant provided the update during Thursday’s post-Cabinet news briefing after being questioned about youth involvement in criminal activity.

Merchant said police are examining whether juveniles are acting independently or whether adults are contributing to their involvement in crime.

He said investigators believe they have established certain connections that could help them solve several crimes. However, he declined to provide details, saying the information remains sensitive and police would not want it disclosed while investigations are continuing.

Merchant did not identify any suspected adults or juveniles and did not specify the cases being investigated.

He said police are particularly concerned about juveniles who repeatedly commit offences.

Merchant referred to a person recently arrested in connection with a serious crime whose record reportedly showed involvement in serious criminal activity while still a juvenile.

The disclosure came as Cabinet ordered a review of the Child Justice Act to determine whether juveniles accused of gun-related and other serious crimes should continue to qualify for diversion from formal court proceedings.

The Office of the Attorney General has been instructed to examine the law, with particular attention to limiting diversion in serious cases.

Merchant said the review is intended to guide police and the courts in determining whether some juveniles accused of serious or firearm-related crimes should be tried as adults.

No timetable was announced for completing the review. Further information could be presented when the Antigua and Barbuda Parliament meets on September 28.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Police Investigating Possible Links Between Adult Criminals and Juvenile Offenders.