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Offending rates by young people can be cut by 25 per cent by giving them vitamins and mineral supplements, according to research charity Natural Justice.

It found that giving half of 230 young offenders at Aylesbury Young Offenders Institution pills containing essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals resulted in offences dropping by a quarter, compared with the rest who took a placebo.

The 18-month study found the largest cut was for serious offences, including violence, which fell by nearly 40 per cent.

Bernard Gesch, a research scientist who led the study, said its findings had major implications.

A Youth Justice Board spokesperson said: "We are looking at the findings with interest."