YES: MIKE THOMAS, vice chair, Association of Youth Offending Team Managers - There can be little doubt the police targets for "offences brought to justice" are resulting in more young people coming through the criminal justice system. Once in the system, it is increasingly likely they will return. Youth offending teams are spending a disproportionate amount of time dealing with cases that should not be in the system, leaving less time to work with serious offenders. The targets we have are in direct conflict with police targets.
YES: CHRIS STANLEY, head of policy and research, Nacro - Police performance is scored on the numbers that are prosecuted and get to court. Our research shows that areas that divert large numbers of young people from the youth court have low levels of custody. Minor offenders appearing in court for the first time are more likely to move up through the court system to custody than those diverted away from court.
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