CYP Now - Children charged with criminal offences waiting 217 days for case outcomes

Children charged with criminal offences are waiting, on average, 217 days for the outcome of their case, more than double waiting times seen a decade ago.

Keith Fraser says the impact could cause increased stress on children. Picture: YJB

In the year ending March 2022, the average time from offence to completion of a case was 217 days, compared with 221 days in the previous year and 98 days in the year ending March 2012, according to latest figures from the Youth Justice Board (YJB).

Keith Fraser, YJB chair, puts the increase down to delays to court proceedings caused by the pandemic, but said: “Although it’s important that court proceedings only go ahead with the full preparation, assessments and expertise required, we know from victims and children with experience of the system that this wait can be incredibly stressful and can reduce opportunities for them to positively move on.”

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