Youth Justice

This chapter examines two related issues: youth crime and youth justice. In relation to the latter, this will involve an assessment of the major trends experienced by the youth justice system. The most striking point is the fact that the youth justice system has been shrinking fast over recent years. This conclusion is borne out by the falling numbers of crimes reported by young people, the falling numbers of arrests, and the changing pattern of sentencing experienced by young people, especially the falling use of youth custody. However, alongside what might be seen as these positive changes, two countervailing trends can be identified: an increase in average lengths of time spent in custody and the rising racial disproportionality of the youth custody population. The chapter examines a number of recent issues arising in the field of youth crime and disorder, including young people’s involvement in gangs, youth violence and ‘knife crime’. Central to these discussions are new forms of risk and vulnerability said to be affecting young people and rendering them more susceptible to grooming, victimisation and abuse. The chapter raises questions about the changing connections – and disconnections – between these two aspects of youth crime and youth justice.