The overall number of children and young people entering the youth justice system has fallen year on year since 2009.
There are currently 20,544 young people entering the youth justice system in England and Wales for the first time, while the number of under-18s in youth custody (870) is at an all-time low.
While these should be recognised as positive trends, there remain stark contrasts among different groups that have contact with the youth justice system.
The disproportionately high number of children from black and minority ethnic heritage in youth custody has been highlighted by campaigners, but young people with a special educational need and disability (SEND) are also disproportionately represented.
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