Youth Offending 2023-02-21
2023-02-21
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Young people are at risk of involvement in crime and early intervention is crucial.
What steps he is taking through the criminal justice system to help young people avoid crime. The “Beating crime plan” of 2021 highlighted, once again, the importance of early intervention for young people. I am concerned about young people being drawn into a cycle of criminality and need specific measures to prevent this.
The “Beating crime plan” highlighted the importance of early intervention for young people. One such programme is our support for 200 voluntary and community projects to engage children at risk of involvement in crime through mentoring and sports activities.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific measures not addressed, only general programmes mentioned
General Principles
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Ryan Passey lost his life due to knife crime, highlighting the need for preventive measures.
I am keen to see a more preventive approach to crime committed by young adults, particularly knife crime. In 2017, Ryan Passey, aged only 24, lost his life to a perpetrator with a knife, and we are still seeking justice. Will the Minister join me and the Passey family in exploring more ways of reaching out to young adults to ensure that carrying a knife does not become the norm? We all know that people who carry a knife risk becoming either a perpetrator or a victim.
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Obviously I cannot comment on this individual case, but I join her in extending my sympathies to Ryan's family. We have to do everything we can to bear down on serious violence, and serious violence reduction orders are part of that. The work of youth offending teams is also important in trying to catch people before they turn into more hardened criminals.
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Assessment & feedback
Individual case not addressed directly
Sympathy
General Principles
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Young people are being criminally exploited by drugs gangs, particularly in Stoke-on-Trent.
We see a concerning number of young people being criminally exploited by drugs gangs, particularly in Stoke-on-Trent. Will my right hon. Friend look at what more can be done to prevent young people, particularly the most vulnerable, from being drawn into a cycle of criminality?
My hon. Friend makes a good point, and I am always keen to hear from him on this important subject. The Government have invested a lot of money in the 10-year drugs plan, and there is a strong commitment across Government to making sure we see through those commitments.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific measures not detailed
Investment
Commitment
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
£1 billion has been slashed from youth services, leading to the closure of 750 youth centres and axing of 14,000 jobs.
I do not think the public are convinced that the Minister is serious about preventing children and young people from entering the criminal justice system. I say that because £1 billion has been slashed from youth services, 750 youth centres have closed and 14,000 youth and community jobs have been axed. This Government have consistently cut services for children and young people. Will he agree to look again at the Government's policies and, indeed, to follow Labour's plan to invest in youth services?
It is not the case that we do not have a comprehensive approach to supporting young people. The Turnaround programme is an important new investment in this area. By the way, fewer under-18s are being incarcerated than when Labour was in government.
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Assessment & feedback
Questions about policy cuts and Labour's plan not addressed
Comprehensive Approach
Turnaround Programme
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Hull community is affected by antisocial behaviour, including objects thrown at buses.
People in Hull North are a bit fed up with a very small minority of young people who are blighting their community through antisocial behaviour, including, most recently, throwing objects at buses, which has meant the suspension of bus services to an area of the country that has a very low rate of car ownership. What more can the Government do to help police forces such as Humberside, which is a top performing police force, and Hull City Council, which has seen its budget slashed over the past 13 years by this Government, to divert young people from crime and to deal with young offenders early?
I understand what the right hon. Lady says about the frustration and anger felt by her constituents when they have to deal with antisocial behaviour. In different ways, it is something that all hon. Members have to deal with, and it is important that we bear down on it.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific measures not provided
Understanding
Response accuracy