Knives linked to rise in custody
Derren Hayes
Thursday, June 29, 2017
A rise in the number of young people in custody could be linked to a surge in knife possession offences.
A surge in young people carrying and using knives could be a factor in the recent rise in the numbers of under-18s being detained in custody, youth justice experts say.
Statistics from the Youth Justice Board for April show the number of young people held in custody was 909, three more than the 906 recorded in April 2016 (see graphics). This represents the first year-on-year rise in youth custody figures since August 2008. It is also a 5.9 per cent rise on the 858 young people in custody in March.
Meanwhile, the most recent Ministry of Justice statistics reveal a rise in the number of under-18s given custodial sentences for knife possession offences in the first three months of 2017. The data shows that 151 young people received immediate custody, compared with 115 in the fourth quarter of 2016. The rise meant the proportion of under-18s receiving custody for knife possession offences increased from 11 to 13 per cent over that timescale, while the proportion receiving a reprimand, warning or youth caution fell from 31 to 28 per cent. This continues a long-term trend that, since 2013, has seen the use of custody rise and cautions fall (see graphic).
Minimum sentence
The rise follows the introduction in July 2015 of a minimum sentence of four months in custody for 16- and 17-year-olds caught in possession of a blade for a second time.
Ross Little, chair of the National Association of Youth Justice, says that analysis of annual youth knife crime figures shows that the use of custody rose from 11.4 per cent in 2015 to 13 per cent in 2016. However, he warns about drawing firm conclusions on long-term trends from the figures.
"It is too early to say whether the rise in youth custody use marks the beginning of an upwards trend or an anomaly," he says.
"If it is the start of a trend, one possible explanation could be the link with the rise in children given custody for possessing a knife."
He also highlights that in 2009, when the number of recorded knife possession offences was 21 per cent higher than in 2016, the use of custody was just nine per cent.
"This suggests a change in sentencing rather than an increase in knife possession," says Little. He adds that increased coverage of youth knife crime by the media and more attention by politicians could also have had an impact on sentencing.
Sean Creaney, lecturer in offending behaviour at Edge Hill University, believes that sensationalist reporting of youth knife crime has increased the pressure on judges.
"Knife crime is a key issue, particularly in areas like Merseyside, but it has been reported as young people being out of control when often they are being forced to carry weapons as part of a gang," he says.
However, Whitney Iles, chief executive of social enterprise Project 507, which supports young people involved in violence, says the problem goes beyond gangs.
"We're seeing young people using and possessing knives that aren't necessarily in that cohort," she says. "Knife crime is surging across all areas of the UK and is a problem across all backgrounds."
She explains that in most cases of young people using knives, there is a number of previous incidents escalating in severity before a knife is used. "But we're seeing more incidents where you wouldn't expect knives to be used. These random acts are much harder to deal with and creates a feeling of crisis," she adds.
Iles believes a "deep reflection about what is going on with children" is needed. She says high-profile violent incidents and the ease with which footage of violence is shared via social media are "creating a culture of fear in young people".
Community-based therapeutic interventions are the best way to tackle knife crime, Iles adds, because "custody increases trauma". Having the same support worker in custody and the community would also aid continuity, she adds.
Staff turnover
Creaney agrees that the high turnover of staff supporting young offenders is a problem - he has just finished research that found high caseloads and uncertainty over the future shape of the youth justice system had seen many of the 25 practitioners he spoke to change jobs over an 18-month period.
"These are young people with complex needs," says Creaney. "Youth justice services are stretched and I don't know if they have the resources to work with this group, particularly those on intensive supervision orders."
Creaney says an expansion of problem-solving courts - which put in place support to address the factors behind a young person's offending behaviour as an alternative to prison - could help reduce instances of young people carrying knives and the use of youth custody as a punishment.