The number of juveniles incarcerated has risen dramatically over the past three months as the region grapples with ways of dealing with youth crime.

As of September, 197 juveniles were in custody in prisons across NSW, compared to just over 160 in May - 16 of them are in custody for homicide.

Figures from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research show that the increase is largely from bail refusals both by police and the courts.

Close to 150 of those in detention are awaiting sentence.

A growing proportion - 107 of the 197 are indigenous.

However if there is one sub-group that stands out - its males. Just one of the 107 indigenous people are female, and just seven of the 189 non-indigenous are girls.

Theft, robbery, and break and enter remain the most common reasons for their incarceration.

The increase comes at the same time the adult population has declined by over 400 people since May to 12,272.

Far-West Orana Highest in the State

BOCSAR Figures show that the Far-West Orana has the highest per capita youth crime in the state.

The region has 5,209 criminal proceedings against juveniles per 100,000 people.

This compares to Goulburn, which has 1,291 per 100,000, and inner Sydney, which has just 451.

 Far-West Orana covering Dubbo, Broken Hill and the Western Plains has the most youth arrests per capita in NSW. Image: Channel 9.

Central West has 2,451 per 100,000, and New England/North West has 4,640.

Along with theft, fraud and break enters - harassment, intimidation and stalking, as well as driving offences figure highly.

Most also notable is that while the number of young people spending time in custody is on the rise, the number of crimes committed by young people has remained steady over the past 10 years and is fractionally lower than 2011 levels.

The figures come amidst growing calls among the region for a change in approach to youth crime.

Bourke Shire Mayor Barry Holman has called on Magistrates to deny more bail applications for minors who he says continue to offend whilst on bail. He has also rejected calls to increase the minimum criminal age of responsibility to 14.

Barry Holman. Image: ABC.

Member for Barwon Roy Butler wants more youth crime diversionary programs across the Western Plains.

A spokesperson from Youth Justice NSW told the Western Plains App “Young people in contact with police or the court can be referred to a range of early intervention and diversionary programs, funded by Youth Justice and delivered by non-government organisations. Typically, these service offerings respond to local needs."

It said it offers a Bail and Accommodation Support Service, a program for early intervention called “Youth on Track” and that Youth Justice works closely with local Aboriginal communities to help young people at risk build stronger connections to family, community and country.