Crime Reduction - Helping to Reduce Crime in Your Area

"Considerable improvements" made in tackling youth crime "Considerable improvements" made in tackling youth crime

The Youth Justice Board has welcomed recognition toward the "considerable improvement" that has been made in the youth justice system since it was established in 1998. Two reports, an Audit Commission review, and a National Audit Office (NAO) report, have found that progress has been made in a number of areas since reforms to the system were put in place.

'Youth Justice 2004: A review of the reformed youth justice system'

The Audit Commission report, 'Youth Justice 2004: A review of the reformed youth justice system', found that young offenders are:

• dealt with more quickly by the courts

• less likely to offend on bail

• more likely to receive an intervention and make amends for their wrongdoing.

This is in comparison to what trends have happened since 'Misspent Youth' was published in 1996, taking account of the new reforms and the differences they have made.

The report shows that reconviction rates for young people receiving Reprimands, Final Warnings, Reparation Orders and Action Plan Orders are between 7–10% lower than in 1997, and states that Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programmes (ISSPs) are a more constructive and cheaper option than custody for persistent young offenders. 

'Youth Offending: the delivery of community and custodial sentences'

A NAO report, 'Youth Offending: the delivery of community and custodial sentences', looks into the delivery of community and custodial sentences for young offenders. The report found that the Youth Justice Board has successfully developed and introduced a range of new non-custodial sentences and programmes for young offenders.

Overall

Both reports point to the significant progress that has been made in the youth justice system since the reforms were put in place in 1998. This improvement stems from those working on the front line of youth justice, such as Youth Offending Teams (Yots), the one-stop shops for all young offenders.

The reports acknowledge the achievements and successes delivered by the youth justice system in the last 5 years. This includes halving the time from arrest to sentence, establishing 155 Youth Offending Teams who are delivering tough new sentences, and a reduction in reconviction rates for young offenders.

Click here to view the Audit Commission report: Youth Justice 2004: A review of the reformed youth justice system

Download the NAO report: Youth Offending: the delivery of community and custodial sentences PDF 629kb

 

Last update: 29 July 2004