Political opinion: MP backs major youth justice overhaul to keep streets safe in Crawley

Peter Lamb MP has welcomed a major overhaul of the youth justice system designed to intervene earlier, cut reoffending and keep Crawley safe.

These reforms are part of Labour’s mission to cut crime, halve knife crime over a decade, and deliver safer streets.

The new Youth Justice White Paper sets out a comprehensive package of reforms to stop more young people falling into crime and break the cycle of offending.

The reforms come as figures show eight in ten prolific offenders first committed a crime as a child, highlighting the urgent need for earlier and more effective intervention.

Under the plans, more children at risk of offending will receive targeted support earlier through expanded prevention programmes, helping steer them away from crime before it escalates.

New Youth Intervention Courts will be piloted to tackle repeat offending, bringing together judges, youth justice services and specialist support to address the root causes of crime and keep young people on track.

An extra £15.4 million per year investment in the Government’s flagship Turnaround programme to help 12,000 children at risk of entering the youth justice system, over the next three years. In the south east, £4.4million will be invested over the next three years.   

Mr Lamb said: “When young people fall into criminal lifestyles, it affects not only them, but their family and the community around them. I've long believed that the best approach for criminal justice is preventing crimes from happening to begin with, rehabilitation is a fundamental part of achieving this.”

Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy said: “Too many young people are being drawn into crime, with devastating consequences for victims, communities and their own futures.

“These reforms lay the foundation to intervene far earlier, support families, and tackle the drivers of offending so fewer young people become trapped in cycles of crime, creating safer streets and fewer victims.”