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Final Warnings are given to youths between 10 and
18 years old if they break the law for a second
time.
If they are under 17, the warning is given to them by the
police in the
presence of a parent or other appropriate adult and kept on record
for up to seven years.
If they have been in trouble once before they may already have
been given a reprimand but the police can decide if their first
offence is serious enough for a warning.
They can also decide to prosecute over first or second offences
rather than give a reprimand or warning.
If appropriate, a Final Warning Programme will be offered by our
Youth Offending Team.
We are told about the offender and make an appointment to see
them after the police have given them bail and a date to receive
their Final Warning.
An officer may also contact their school and other agencies for
further information.
We visit them and their family within four weeks to make an
assessment and find out how best to help keep them out of
trouble.
If help and support are needed, an intervention programme,
tailor-made to the individual's need, will also be put in
place.
The police will be informed of the outcome of the assessment and
whether an intervention programme is to be provided.
This may begin before the youth returns to the police station
for their Final Warning.
These programmes involve working with the offenders, their
families and other agencies and may include victim-based reparation
sessions, education and other appropriate activities.
Further assistance is also available through voluntary support
and mentoring and can provided after the programme ends.
If no effort is made to work with the programme the courts will
be told of this in any future cases.
For further information download our
What is a Final Warning leaflet. |