Youth Justice Hits Record Lows—What This Means for Young People

Big news today: the Youth Justice Board just released its latest stats, and for the first time in decades, fewer kids are entering the justice system. Record lows in first-time youth offenders and custody numbers? Sounds like great news, right? But let’s break it down—beyond the headlines—because this matters more than ever for young people across the UK.

What’s Happening?

First off, the stats are real:

• First-time entrants (FTEs) to the justice system dropped by 3%—now at the lowest level ever.
• Kids in custody also fell by 3%, down to about 430 on any given day—again, an all‑time low.
• And knife/offensive weapon offences by children dropped 6%, marking six consecutive years of decline.

These numbers show progress—but youth justice isn’t just about stats.

Why It Matters

Early intervention works. When we stop young people before they spiral, we help change their lives for the better. Community programs and youth-centred policing are paying off—fewer kids entering the system and fewer repeat offenders.

But… there are still red flags flashing:

• 18-year-olds in ‘youth custody’: This group has more than doubled. These places are meant for kids—not young adults. That’s a margin error we can’t ignore.
• Court delays: It’s taking an average of 225 days from offence to resolution. That’s over seven months of limbo—for kids, families, and everyone waiting for justice. gov.uk
• Remand without sentence: Nearly 75% of kids held on remand don’t receive a custodial sentence. Many go through trauma only to walk free.

The Human Cost

Let’s talk real lives—‘cause the stats tell one part, but the trenches tell another.

Isolation and delayed lives. A teenager caught in the justice system—waiting out a remand period—is pulled from school, friends, family, routine. One Guardian expose reveals kids held 100+ miles from home in secure institutions, away from support during critical moments. And only 17% are still within reach of home.

Reoffending risk. Youth justice isn’t only about catching thieves or offenders—it’s about preventing worse cycles. Stats show a concerning increase in reoffending, hitting a decade-high frequency. That suggests the system is still failing to help some young people pivot.

Disproportionate impact on Black and Mixed-race youths.
Despite fewer overall entries, Black children are still heavily overrepresented, making up 11% of sentences compared to just 6% of the youth population. Mixed-race children, too, now face custodial rates twice their share in society.

That overrepresentation isn’t incidental. It disrupts communities, shatters trust, and robs black kids of opportunity—even when they haven’t been convicted.

What This Could Become

Amid the cracks, there are sparks of hope:

1. Child-First policing is being adopted—offering diversion over arrest. That needs to be the norm, not the exception.
2. Secure schools are emerging to replace old institutions, designed with education, care, and rehabilitation—not punishment—at the core.
3. Targeted support for Black & Mixed-race youth is showing early signs of reducing disparity. But it must grow from pilot schemes into nationwide policy.

For Young People: What You Should Know

If you’re a young person or know one facing the justice system:

• Speak up. Ask for community-based support—not remand, where possible.
• Insist on your rights. Nobody under 18 should face adult treatment or be whisked far from home.
• Demand transparency. Push for faster case resolution—225 days is way too long.

The Final Word

Yes, the drop in youth custody and first-time offenders is enormous progress. But if we care about justice, not just justice-lite, we use this moment to push harder:

• Make remand a last resort and keep kids within their communities.
• Demand an overhaul of how kids are processed through courts—fast-track, kid-first, and trauma-informed.
• Expand cultural training for police and youth workers—so kids from every background get fair support.
• Ensure secure schools replace prisons, fostering growth instead of frustration.

This could be a turning point. We can take pride in these wins—but if we stop here, we risk sliding back. Young people need more than low numbers; they need systems that see them, lift them, and build their futures.

Let’s not just celebrate the dip in figures. Let’s use it to build something better—for every young person.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/youth-justice-statistics-record-lows-in-custody-and-first-time-entrants

https://insidesuccessmagazine.com/category/politics