Authorities who attended a crisis meeting concerning troubled youth in Geraldton have pleaded for parents to take more responsibility in their children’s lives.

More than 30 representatives from police, government agencies and youth support groups attended Wednesday’s Reaching Out to Our Young People conference at the Geraldton Yacht Club.

Police revealed considerable resources are being poured into youth offending in Geraldton.

Children as young as eight were highlighted as primary offenders of anti-social behaviour in the CBD.