Early intervention must be placed at the centre of Barbados’ crime prevention strategy, a youth counsellor has said, backing recent remarks by Minister of Legal Affairs and Criminal Justice Michael Lashley.

Chief executive officer of Supreme Counselling for Personal Development, Shawn Clarke, praised the minister’s comments on the importance of addressing social issues early, arguing that such an approach reflects longstanding realities observed by professionals working with young people.

Clarke said the minister’s observations reflect a reality that many professionals working with children and young people have witnessed for years.