Objectives

This Persistent Young Offenders Toolkit is part of an extensive programme being put in place to support partnerships to achieve reductions in crime and disorder. Its key objective is to provide Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnerships with the tools necessary to:

• Respond to the requirements of the Crime & Disorder Act

• Demonstrate effective solutions to local problems; and

• Assist in the development of good practice and promising initiatives

The Persistent Young Offenders Toolkit brings together in one place information and advice about practical measures that can be adopted at a local level to identify, tackle, reduce and prevent Persistent Young Offending.

Information on the latest developments, research findings, funding opportunities and promising approaches to tackling persistent young offending is provided.

Checklists for identifying problems, developing responses and monitoring progress at a local level are also contained in the Toolkit.

This Toolkit provides a way of sharing experience and ideas between local practitioners. It details a range of interventions currently being undertaken by Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnerships. Case summary examples are detailed and contacts listed. A wide range of publications is also provided.

Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnerships are recommended to adopt an holistic approach to tackling and preventing Persistent Young Offending throughout this Toolkit, by developing strategies and action plans that contain and promote the following:

• The swift administration of justice so that every young person accused of breaking the law has the matter resolved without delay.

• Confronting young offenders with the consequences of their offending, for themselves and their family, their victims and the community and helping them to develop a sense of personal responsibility.

• Intervention which tackles the particular factors (personal, family, social, educational or health) that puts the young person at risk of offending and which strengthens protective factors.

• Punishment proportionate to the seriousness and persistence of the offending.

• Encouraging reparation to victims by young offenders.

• Reinforcing the responsibilities of parents.

This Persistent Young Offenders Toolkit is one of a series of 22 designed to help all those involved in crime reduction to work as effectively as possible.

The effectiveness of the Toolkits relies on your help. We very much welcome contributions and advice on how to improve their content and their approach. There are details on how you can help at ‘Innovation’.