Reports of crime and criminal activity have always exceeded reality in modern English society. This criminal activity is generally perceived to be perpetrated specifically by youths, as it has been since the end of World War Two. A major reason for the inflated perception of youth crime, and for the continuation of the widespread belief in the seriousness of this problem is the support which the idea receives from professional social service workers. These workers have a vested interest in creating the impression that increased social services are required to solve the problem of increased youth crime. Also, increased sensitivity to youth, generated by these workers, has resulted in larger numbers of youths being arrested by the police, who pay more attention to youth activities. Also, the media plays a large part in focusing attention on this issue by presenting the opinions of criminal justice and social services professionals as having high levels of validity and by providing regular and detailed coverage of the problem. The alleged increases in youth crime represent an attempt by the establishment to restructure the criminal justice system and to exert control over the underclass in general. Notes are included.