Minister for Youth Justice Sir Nic Dakin visited Wiltshire Police last week to observe the force's pioneering strategies in supporting young people and preventing their involvement in the criminal justice system.
The visit, one of the Minister's first as part of a national review, highlights Wiltshire's leading role in youth crime prevention, spearheaded by Chief Constable Catherine Roper, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for Children and Young People.
Wiltshire Police showcased significant progress in several key areas. The number of Out of Court Resolutions (OCR) issued to young people has dramatically increased, rising from just five in 2018 to an impressive 851 in 2024.
Furthermore, targeted youth engagement initiatives in Swindon have yielded remarkable results, including an 18.1% reduction in knife crime, a 25% decrease in serious violence, and significant reductions in robbery.
The force has also significantly improved response times for missing high-risk children, locating them in under 12 hours on average – a considerable improvement from the 24-hour average in 2023/24.
The force’s commitment to building trust and positive relationships with young people is evident in initiatives such as football and climbing sessions, and the recent launch of a Police Challenge Badge for Girl Guides and Scouts.
Chief Constable Roper expressed her enthusiasm for the visit, stating, “I am deeply passionate about our drive to improve how policing serves children and young people so I was delighted to meet with the Minister to illustrate the work we are doing to support this.
“As the NPCC lead for Children and Young People, I am able to use such opportunities to share best practice and drive improvements across all police forces.
“All children should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential without their lives being blighted by crime whether as victims, offenders or living in communities impacted by the fear of crime.
“We were able to demonstrate to the Minister that our focus on collaboration with partners, fostering positive relationships with young people in our community and prioritising restorative interventions and outcomes is making real, positive change.
“We will continue to improve these relationships and develop our multi-agency approach to make a lasting contribution to our children and young people in Wiltshire.”
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