LONDON, June 18 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
Newofficialstatistics in developmenton diversionary outcomes in England and Wales (year ending December 2025) shows how youth justice services(YJSs)are supporting childrento prevent offendingthrough diversionary outcomes.
Published today, the report outlines four key pathways, including community resolutions and tailored support following no further action (NFA) decisions.
Itsuggests thatYJSsand their partners have operationalised evidence effectively, addressing the root causes of crime earlytosupport safe communities.
Key findings
*
Nearly half(43%) of youth justiceservice outcomeswere resolved withoutyouth cautions orcourt involvement, reflecting a continued shift towards early, strengths-based support.
*
Community Resolutions are the most used diversion tool (45%), followed by NFA Outcome 22deferredcaution/prosecution(36%).
*
Clear ethnic disparities persist, with White children twice as likely to receive diversionwith YJS involvementas Black children (53% vs 27%).
*
Significantgeographicalvariation highlightsgeographicaldisparity, with63% diversionwith YJS involvementin Wales compared to 17% in London.
*
Different areasfavour different approaches, with heavier reliance on Community Resolutions in London and NFA Outcome 22deferred caution / prosecutionin Wales.
*
Younger children (10-14) and girls are more likely to receive diversion, while older children (15-17) and boys are more likely toreceive a formalcaution orcourt outcome.
*
Violence against the person is the most common offence linked to diversion (33%), althoughdiversions fordrug offencesfeature significantlyin London.
Diversion continues to reduce justice contact
The data shows thatnearly halfofYJSoutcomeswere resolved without acaution orformal court outcome. This maydemonstratethe positive impact ofservicesapplyingtheevidence of what works to prevent children offending, known astheChild First decision-making framework. It advocates early intervention to address the root causes of behaviour, preventing the lasting consequences of criminalisation whilemaintainingpublic safetyand reducing victims.
Disproportionalityremainsunacceptable
Despite progress, disparities across ethnicity,ageand location present significant challenges. Diversionary outcomes vary widely across police force area, and children in Wales were far more likely tobenefitfrom them than those in London. Ethnic disparities are alsoevident, with Black children significantly less likely to receive diversion than White children. Addressing these inequalities is essential to ensure fairness, reduce reoffending and improve outcomes for all children.
Phillip Bowen, Chair of the Youth Justice Board, said:
While we must alwaysretainthe right to prosecute children for their offending to protect the public, we have known for years that the best way to reduce crime and shorten children's offending is to intervene early. This meansdiverting children into positive, strengths-based activity rather thanbringingthem intothe formal criminal justice system. As the Government's recent youth justice White Paper sets out, this work is central to our youth justice approach, offering children who commit lower-level offences a proportionate response that avoids unnecessary criminalisation.
For years, youth justice services(YJSs)and their partners have operationalised this evidence, delivering diversionary outcomes that do not result in a formal criminal justice outcome. However, we have not had the data to answer basic questions about this work. For the first time ever, this publication gives us that picture, showing thatnearly halfof all the children thatYJSswork with receive a diversionary outcome. This strongly suggests thatYJSsare ensuring that they have and are building a prevention-first, evidence-led youth justice system thatseeksto cut crime.
However, disparities persist. AsHM Inspectorate of Probationhasalreadyindicated, which children receive diversion is too often defined by the simple fact of where they live. Almost nine years on from the Lammy Review, it is sobering to read that White children are also significantly more likely to be diverted than Black children, with the data suggesting this disparity is not solely a function of where they live or what offences they are accused of. While we must further explore what underpins these differences, the Youth Justice Board(YJB)is committed to working withYJSsand their partners to ensure that neither geography nor the colour of a child's skin shoulddeterminewhat opportunities they are given.
Moreover, theYJBis committed to working withYJSsand others to improve the suite of evidence-based services we divert children into, to ensure victims receive reparation and to ensure the decision to divert a child is guide by what best protects the public.
Read the full report: The use of diversionary outcomes in England and Wales 2025
Ends
Notes to editors
About Youth Justice Board
TheYJBis an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Ministry of Justice andisresponsible foroversight oftheentireyouth justice system in England and Wales. Its vision is for a youth justice system that sees children as children, treats them fairly and helps them to build on their strengths so they can make a constructive contribution to society.
For more information:www.gov.uk/yjb
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
