There has been a significant drop in violence among immigrant youth since the beginning of the year according to data presented on Tuesday by Major General Alon Grossman, head of the police's youth department.

Grossman presented the data to the ministerial committee in charge of curbing violence. The statistics show a 14 percent drop in violence among immigrant youth in 2007 and consists of youth that immigrated to Israel since 1990.

Grossman said that the most noticeable decreases in violence occurred in communities that have programs and activities aimed at preventing alcohol and drug abuse.

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According to the police data, in 2007 there was a 5 percent drop in drug related crimes, a 25.3 percent drop in vandalism and a 35 percent drop in sex crimes.

"The curbing of violence among immigrants is encouraging and proves that the proper steps have been taken," Absorption Minister Ze'ev Boim said.

The government, in cooperation with non-profit organizations and local authorities, spends NIS 43 million each year on programs aimed to prevent violence.