Mistakes must not haunt a young person's future

Northern Ireland's annual "marching season" has, thankfully, so far been a relatively peaceful one. In the past, this has been a time when some young people became involved in what is sometimes, and wrongly, described as "recreational rioting". Unfortunately, it is anything but recreational and young people who were involved in the past are learning that the repercussions can last a lifetime.

To be clear, I don't condone children or young people becoming involved in such behaviour. But I am worried by the fact that they can be put at risk by adults who should be protecting them. The reality is that some young people have now, as a result, come into contact with the criminal justice system by receiving a "diversionary disposal" in the form of a warning or caution from police. This can have a damaging effect on future education, training, employment and travel opportunities.