Comprehensive review of the available evidence relating to delinquency by young people.

1. Introduction; 2. Identifying the most useful research; 3. Concepts and measures of crime; 4. Historical trends; 5. Varieties of antisocial behaviour; 6. The role of individual features; 7. The role of psychosocial features; 8. Society-wide influences; 9. Gender differences; 10. From child to adult: persistence and desistance; 11. Prevention and intervention I: principles and concepts: application at the predelinquency stage; 12. Prevention and intervention II: applications at the postdelinquency phase; 13. Conclusions.