Young people and crime

The Ministry of Justice has published the latest monthly statistics on children and young people in custody. Key figures include that:

  • The number of children and young people in custody was 1,229 for under 18 year olds; and
  • The total population of the secure estate for children and young people was 1,323 including those aged 18 years old.

To download the full data visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/youth-custody-data.

The Ministry of Justice has also published its response to the consultation, Transforming Youth Custody, details of which can be found at https://consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-communications/transforming-youth-custody.

The response sets out plans to introduce a pathfinder Secure College, housing up to 320 young people, due to open in the East Midlands in 2017. If it proves to be successful, it will provide a blueprint for a network of Secure Colleges across England and Wales.

In addition, new contracts to bid to provide education in young offender institutions will seek to more than double the number of hours contracted education that young offenders receive each week.

Lastly, the annual evaluation of the Ending Gang and Youth Violence Programme has reported reductions in police recorded violent crimes involving 10 to 19-year-olds in areas targeted by the programme.

To download the report visit www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm87/8746/8746.pdf.