On the face of it, this sounds like confirmation of those stories we've been reading about "feral youth" terrorising communities across the country.
On closer inspection, however, the Home Office study reveals a rather different picture.
To qualify as a frequent offender, for example, a young person will have admitted to committing at least six offences over a twelve-month period - offences such as minor thefts from work or school, or pushing or slapping someone without causing any injury. The great majority of "serious offenders", on the other hand, had admitted to committing an assault with injury - where the injury could be minor bruising or a scratch.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
