How early action in Glasgow is driving down crime
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
An intervention project has played a central role in reducing the number of offences committed by young people in 2010/11 by 32 per cent
Project Early and Effective Intervention groups
Purpose To reduce youth crime
Funding The project was awarded £90,000 in start-up funding by the Scottish government and continues to be backed by Glasgow City Council
Background Glasgow’s multi-agency Youth Justice Strategy Group, established in 2004, was keen to ensure services reflected a range of need, including those of young people on the edges of the youth justice system. Many cases referred to the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration – the country’s child protection and youth justice system – resulted in time spent on writing reports rather than delivering effective support and there were delays in assessing and addressing the needs of young people who had committed just two or three low-level offences.
Action The solution was to introduce multi-agency partnerships called Early and Effective Intervention groups, designed to offer a swift and flexible response to lower-level youth offending.
Arms-length body Glasgow Community and Safety Services co-ordinates the scheme, receiving referrals from police when a young person is cautioned or charged with an offence. Three local multi-agency groups, which include social services, education, health, sport and leisure services, and police, meet regularly to discuss cases and agree the best way forward. This might include a "restorative warning" from police, referral to local youth services or more specialist help.
The approach has led to a much faster response and means young people’s needs are better addressed.
Outcome The early intervention groups have played a central role in reducing youth crime in Glasgow over the past five years, including a 32 per cent reduction in the number of offences committed by young people in 2010/11.
Since 2007/08 there has been a 55 per cent drop in the possession of offensive weapons, knife carrying, drug offences and other offences among under 18s; a 38 per cent drop in serious crimes such as serious assault, robbery and attempted murder; and a 42 per cent drop in vandalism, malicious mischief and fire raising. Overall there has been a 54 per cent drop in the number of offenders referred to the Children’s Reporter since 2006/07 with all agencies reporting significant savings in terms of time and money.
