Youth Justice: Critical Analysis of Development and Knife Crime

Youth Justice
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Question 1 Critical analysis of development to date, on both theory and practice.....................3
Question 2 National focus on concern of Knife crime by youths................................................7
a. Are there any clear messages within the statistical data..........................................................8
b) What could be done to reduce these offences.......................................................................13
c) Current Response of the Knife crime....................................................................................14
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................17
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INTRODUCTION
Youth justice system within the England and Wales comprise of the process and organs that
can be used to defend, penalise and inmate person under 18 years of the age for committing any
criminal offence (Muncie and Goldson, 2016). Therefore, the principles purpose of Youth justice
system is to undertake the prevention that offending children and young person. Henceforth, the
crime and disorder act 1998 placed the responsibility in each local authority in terms to
undertake the steps that aids to establish and maintain the justice services for the youth. The
primary function is to monitor the operation of youth justice system and to undertake the better
provision for the youth justice service.
The present report is based on Youth justice system. Henceforth, report is based on the
activities as to define the justice that has developed significantly over the past few decades with
help of theory. Also, study has laid national focus on concern of knife crime by youths. In
addition to this, critical analysis will be conducted to discuss the prevalence and response to
Knife crime in England and Wales.
Question 1 Critical analysis of development to date, on both theory and practice
In recent times, youth justice has emerged to a great extent. This is because of rise in
crimes within youth where a lot of youngsters are involved in various types of crimes. It has
changed the perception of youth and they are engaged in more crimes. In earlier times in UK
people were highly involved in crimes. There was no act or reform through which crime can be
prevented (Anoshiravani, 2020). With it, UK government took initial steps of developing
reforms. It has been evaluated that UK is a developed nation. The knife crime includes many
types of offences such as homicide, theft, etc. With rise in crime, it has highly influenced
youngster mind. For getting successful they are engaging in crimes. This trend has increased
since past years in UK. Since past, there are several reasons that are emerging due to which
young people are engaged in crime. The reason is rise in poverty, unemployment, etc.
Furthermore, with change in reaction of society perception of people is influenced. In high class
society as well young people are involved in crime. So, it can be stated that rate of crime is
increasing in UK. But as compared to high class, in lower social class crime is more. In addition,
it is identified that in UK children are not problem but political framework. The structure and
approach towards preventing knife crime is ineffective. Furthermore, strategies applied by
government focus on public health. So, there is high rise in social and psychological risk. the
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major crimes take places in neighbourhood that causes high damage (Davis, Janssen and
Monterosso, 2019). Thus, it has resulted in creating a toxic environment for children to grow.
hence, it has created a negative impact on their behaviour. Alongside, society response is shaping
the environment through which children are diverted.
The criminal justice act of 1994 of UK consists of number of laws and rights to amend or
prevent criminal activities.
In UK in 1998 a new youth system was developed. In that 1998 crime and disorder act
was formed. The system consists of youth offending teams and youth justice board. In this age of
crime for youth is above 10 years. Moreover, main aim for this system was to prevent children
and youth to engage in crimes. Hence, a policy was formed that provided a framework of how to
promote work that prevent youth crimes. The government was involved in forming policies child
and justice welfare policies. In this DCSF, MOJ, etc were established with aim of :-
Protecting public through law in relation to children who offend or are a risk of offending things.
In this act section 10 of 2004 state cooperation between local authority and other agencies
to enhance well being of children (Clayton and Gupta, 2019). The well being is to be improved
in areas of physical and mental health, education, social and economic, etc.
Furthermore, in order to regulate and monitor overall youth system a commission was
developed. The youth justice board was set up to monitor it. It allowed Justice secretary to
suggest ways of how main aim of system can be attained. The youth offending teams work with
police and health authorities to educate youngster. Their responsibility is to work with other
agencies to avoid risk and prevent crime. Also, they provide support to youth who are on bail or
released from custody. It also ensures that youngsters are attached to society. The YOT officer is
appointed to each young person after custody to remain in contact with them. It allows in
cooperating with it locally. The Governor supervises officer. Likewise, in April 2000 section
41(5) of act the YJB became commission for entire body and forms of offering services to
children and young people.
Many authors have provided relevant theories related to criminal behaviour. They
analysed behaviour of people and how society respond towards it. With help of theory it is easy
to identify how people behaviour is influenced. Hence, there are different types of theories that
reflect on youth crimes (Holliday Taylor and Hunter, 2020). The theory enables in analysing
the behaviour of youth towards crime. The theories are as follows :-
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