Why Prioritise Young Adults?
This briefing with its four key messages aims to help Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) candidates consider how they commission services for young adults. It brings together recent research and practice to show what works and how reoffending rates can be reduced while achieving cost benefit. Young adults (18-24) are only 10% of the population but account for a third of all crime. They are also the most likely group to be victims of crime. They are therefore a vital consideration for PCCs when setting local policing priorities and commissioning services to reduce crime and reoffending.
We have the following four suggestions for PCCs to help them achieve their aim of cutting crime and cutting anti-social behaviour:
- Support common-sense policing of young adults: Commission services that give police more community-based options, and support restorative solutions for young adults.
- Work with partners to support diversion where appropriate: Link with health and social care agencies to ensure effective diversion, and to tackle the multiple problems of many prolific young adult offenders.
- Take a lead in tackling young adult reoffending locally: To reduce reoffending, ensure local partners work together to ensure a smooth transition between youth and adult criminal justice services. Support a distinct local strategy targeting what works for young adults.
- Engage with young adults: Consult young adults as part of the duty to engage with victims. Work to improve relationships between young adults and the police.
We hope that this briefing will encourage PCCs to consider commissioning services differently and embed a more effective approach to young adult offenders.
