Rise in proportion of ethnic minorities in custody

New statistics show both the proportion of BME 15- to 17-year-olds sentenced to custody and those remanded is rising.

In 2003/04, black young people constituted 2.7 per cent of the 10- to 17-year-old population, but in the same year 10.2 per cent of 15- to 17-year-olds sentenced to custody were black. This figure rose to 13.1 per cent in 2008.

Shadow justice minister David Burrowes said the increase showed a failure to address entrenched social issues in a number of communities.

"The sad reality is these young people in custody are very likely to go back in, so the over-representation continues within a system that is failing young people and communities," he said.

But a Ministry of Justice spokesman said the government had "made significant progress" in tackling the issue, including mentoring and development opportunities for young people from ethnic minorities in schools and youth groups. "The government is committed to providing a criminal justice system that promotes equality and does not discriminate against anyone because of race," he said.

"While we have made good progress, we realise there is still more to do and remain committed to combating unjustified disproportionality."