27% increase in young offenders

Offenders should go before victims' panels instead of courts, the report says

The number of under-18s dealt with by the criminal justice system has risen by more than a quarter since 2002, figures have revealed.

Data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) shows a 27% rise in convictions and cautions.

In some parts of England and Wales, the number has almost doubled.

The number of under-15s dealt with by the police and/or courts has risen by a third, the IPPR reports.

During the same period, the number of adults who come into contact with the criminal justice system rose by 11%.

'Challenge kids'

The report by the left-leaning think tank suggests that under-18s should be dealt with by a panels of victims and community members, rather than the courts for minor charges.

These "community justice panels" would let victims "confront non-severe young offenders", it argues, leaving criminal courts to focus on serious offences.

We should not be soft or tolerant, but the current trend of criminalisation is not working James Crabtree IPPR

The IPPR's James Crabtree said that government targets "have resulted in the police concentrating on easier-to-solve low-level crimes committed by children and teenagers".

He added: "We should not be soft or tolerant, but the current trend of criminalisation is not working.

"A truly 'tough on crime' approach would give victims and community members the opportunity to challenge kids on the consequences of their actions and prevent re-offending."

Just five out of England and Wales's 43 police forces saw a drop in the number of children and youths who came before them since 2002 - Northamptonshire, the West Midlands, North and South Wales, and the City of London.

By contrast, Cheshire reported a 95% increase, while Sussex saw a 90% rise.

Dorset witnessed a jump of 81%, and Essex experienced a rise of 71%.

Last week, the head of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales urged magistrates and judges to impose fewer custodial terms on young offenders.

Frances Done told BBC News she was determined to "drive the numbers down".

Paul Cavadino, Chief Executive of the crime reduction charity Nacro, said the figures did not reflect a sharp increase in youth crime.

"Instead they reflect a regrettable increase in the use of the criminal justice system for minor offences," he added.

"Government targets to increase the number of offences brought to justice have increased the prosecution of young people in cases where informal warnings would make more sense."

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