Nassau, The Bahamas -- Declining socio-economic conditions are among the key factors that have led to an increase in youth crime and violence within the region, Minister of National Security, Dr. the Hon. Bernard J. Nottage said Tuesday.

Dr. Nottage was addressing the Opening Session of a Joint Meeting of Bahamian/CARICOM and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) officials at the Paul H. Farquharson Centre...