Young people, crime, youth custody and reoffending

Latest figures from the Ministry of Justice indicate that the rate of re-offending for young offenders leaving custody has fallen to its lowest level in a decade.

Of those released from custody between July 2011 and June 2012, 67.4 percent re-offended within a year, a fall of 5.3 percent on the previous year.

For further information visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/proven-reoffending-statistics-quarterly-statistics-july-2011-to-june-2012.

The Ministry of Justice has published the latest Youth Custody Report, which shows that for March 2014:

• The under 18 custody population was 1,177, a decrease of six from the previous month and a decrease of 102 from the previous year;
• The decrease of 102 is the smallest annual decrease in the population figures since they began falling in 2008/9; and
• The overall population of the secure estate for children and young people, including those aged 18 years old was 1,271, a decrease of five from the previous month and a decrease of 137 from the previous year.

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

Recently published NICE guidance has urged local authorities to prioritise drug abuse support for young people from the age of 10 to ensure their problems do not escalate and bring them in contact with the criminal justice system. For further information and to download the guidance visit http://publications.nice.org.uk/tackling-drug-use-lgb18.