Helping young adults escape the cycle of crime

sir – Last year, more than 50,000 cautions or convictions were handed to 18- to 25-year-olds for low-level and non-violent crimes, such as theft.

In later life these minor offences dominate the criminal records of adults; people who repeatedly offend now account for nearly 40 per cent of all offenders. Behind these numbers lies misery – a revolving door of crisis and crime that destroys lives, families and communities.

These offences are driven by persistent poverty and profound trauma, but they are preventable. A smarter criminal justice system would intervene earlier, giving young adults hope of a good life.

The preventative measures taken by police and youth offending teams have shown what is possible, reducing the number of children entering the criminal justice system to the lowest levels on record. We can do the same for young adults.

We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to stop the cycle of crisis and crime. That is why our coalition – led by the Revolving Doors Agency and our patron, Lord Patel of Bradford – has committed itself to taking action in order to prevent young adults being pulled into this cycle, and to divert them towards a better life.

Nathan Dick

Head of Policy, Revolving Doors Agency

Lord Patel of Bradford Chief Constable Jo Shiner

National policing lead for children and young people

Professor Loraine Gelsthorpe

Director, Institute of Criminology University of Cambridge

Kathryn Holloway

Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire

Anne Fox

Chief Executive, Clinks

Duncan Shrubsole

Criminal justice lead, Lloyds Bank Foundation and 32 others; see telegraph.co.uk