London Youth Crime

It is difficult to gauge the extent of youth crime in London and the rest of the UK. One problem is that many crimes go unrecorded or unreported by the police, crown prosecution service, Youth Offending Teams and other youth linked services to discount youth crime.

What we know is  that the number of young people found guilty by the juvenile courts or formally cautioned by police has fallen in England and Wales over the past 20 years but we also know that many crimes are not pursued through the courts and informal cautions are still a regularly used way of dealing with offending.

More than four out of ten males and one in ten females are likely to be found guilty or cautioned for an indictable offence at some point during their lives. However, it is also true that a comparatively small proportion of the population - about 5 per cent of males - are persistent offenders who account for about half of all known offending. Individuals more often break the law when they are young. Young people who become involved in crime before they are 14 tend to become the most persistent offenders, with longer criminal careers.

As long as youth crime remained 'off the radar' this lack of an accurate assessment of the incidents of youth crime has been unchallenged but now that youth crime, and more specifically serious youth violence, has become an issue there is a clamour for accurate information - at least in terms of the headline statistics. In fact, contrary to general opinion the information about London serious violence is available - although it is about 18 months out of date. And yes all serious violence is increasing (see Violence in London page) but especially youth violence.

Youth Risk factors

The major risk factors for youth offending are:

• Individual Factors - includes hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour; early onset of aggressive and other problem behaviour; being male
• Family - poor parental supervision; harsh or erratic discipline; family conflict; parental criminality; low family income
• Peers - delinquent peer group; high proportion of unsupervised time spent with peers School Low attainment; low commitment/truancy; aggressive behaviour and bullying; exclusions; school disorganisation
• Community Poverty- disadvantaged, neglected neighbourhood; community disorganisation, high turnover and lack of social ties; drug availability

A great deal is known about risk factors but little attention has been paid to factors that protect young people, especially those from high-risk backgrounds, from offending. Those factors that are known include having: a resilient temperament; a warm, affectionate relationship with at least one parent; parents who provide effective supervision, pro-social beliefs and consistent discipline; and parents who maintain a strong interest in their children's education. An understanding of how to build on the positive features influencing individuals, their families and communities can be used to increase the effectiveness of prevention strategies.

The Challenge of Youth Violence

It is clear that all serious violence amongst all ages increased in London from 2002/03. However serious youth violence has been rapidly increasing.

Reviewing the recently released NHS statistics for the total number of admissions to hospital for stabbings and gunshot wounds in London for years 2002/03 to 2005/06 the following is shown:

• Admissions for stabbings of under 16's during the period almost trebled (from 26 to 70)
• Admissions for stabbings for 16 to 18 year olds doubled (from 113 to 227)
• Admissions for over 18 year olds increased but by a smaller margin - although volume is the highest (from  930 to 1083).