Criminal "puppet masters" who recruit children into violent gangs could be jailed for life, as a state government ramps up its fight against youth offending.

Maximum penalties for those who recruit a child to engage in a violent offence would increase from 10 years to 15 years across the board, under the Victorian Labor announcement.

Adults who recruit children into more serious offences, including aggravated home invasions or carjackings, face life in prison under a new aggravated offence.

"If you turn a child to a life of violence, you should spend your life in jail," Premier Jacinta Allan said.

"This is not about an excuse for violent children ... This is about targeting the evil adult puppet-masters pulling the strings."

The government cited a trend where organised crime is increa

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