On Monday (see YPN, 23-29 July, p6) Kennedy, president of the National Children's Bureau and eminent human rights lawyer, said alternative proces-ses must be devised to deal with 10- to 14-year-olds. She added that only 14- to 16-year-olds who were a "threat to others and themselves" should be locked up - but in a rehabilitative environment. She said some 16- to 18-year-olds needed locking up, but as a "last resort".
"This is not being soft on crime: it's re-energising the debate," she said. "When New Labour came to power, it said it would be tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime. But the second part of that hasn't had much prominence."
Shape emphasises that the majority of young people don't commit crime; dealing with causes of child neglect and abuse will address the causes of youth crime; communities need support to build a safer environment; community penalties to reduce offending must be supported; and custody for children should be a last resort.
www.shapethedebate.org.uk.
