Young people are being criminalised for minor offences through government policies, the former chair of the Youth Justice Board, Rod Morgan, has argued in a new report.

Summary Justice: Fast - but Fair? says government policies aimed at keeping minor offences out of court have led to police widening their net and "the too ready criminalisation of children and young people".

According to Morgan, summary justice powers, such as cautions and fixed penalty notices meant to provide an alternative to courts, are being over-used instead of informal control systems and sanctions.

The study, published by the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies at Kings College London, found a massive rise in the number of cautions handed out since 2001.

"There is a need for a thoroughgoing review as there remains a risk that persons and behaviours will be criminalised where both common sense and the public interest suggest that informal control systems and informal sanctions would apply better," Morgan said.