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Triggered at the point-of-arrest, youth diversion schemes not only reduce the need for out-of-court disposals or prosecution resulting in criminal convictions, but also other negative consequences such as interruption to a young person’s education.
Costs to the justice system are also lowered as well as reoffending rates which is particularly significant for first-time young offenders.
The Centre for Justice Innovation (CfJI) says there is an evidence base that suggests formal criminal procedures make young people more likely to commit crime again, with diversion schemes better placed to address low-level criminal behaviour.
Diversion schemes are widely used for under-18s – a recent survey showed 29 of London’s 31 youth offending teams were using them to divert children and young people.
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