The Children’s Commissioner for England has published a report about young people involved in the summer 2024 riots in England. The report hears from 14 children charged in connection to the riots and looks at data from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC). Findings show: children’s involvement was largely spontaneous and unconsidered; many children spoke strongly about their hatred of the police, describing previous bad experiences and community mistrust; and children’s experience with the youth justice system and their outcomes depended on where they lived. The Commissioner concludes that the primary objective of youth justice should be rehabilitation and highlights the need for child-centred policing that builds trust and fosters positive relationships.
Read the news story: Press notice: deep distrust of the police and lack of opportunity as drivers in children’s motivation to take part in last summer’s riots
Read the report: Children’s involvement in the 2024 riots
Source: Children’s Commissioner for England
Date published: 28 January 2025
