WASHINGTON (AP) - A new report says the number of robbery arrests of people ages 17 and under in the District of Columbia was up 17 percent in 2011 over the previous year.

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The Washington Examiner (http://bit.ly/HMILGx), citing an analysis of Metropolitan Police Department data by the advocacy group DC Lawyers for Youth, reports that the number has increased every year since 2008.

DC Lawyers for Youth Executive Director R. Daniel Okonkwo says there seems to be an increase in "snatch-and-run" robberies of items like iPhones and MP3 players.

Police spokeswoman Gwendolyn Crump says officers are continuously reaching out to young members of the community trying to deter them from preventing crimes.

The report does say that youth arrests in the district declined overall.

Information from: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com