Young people experience crime – as offenders, suspects, witnesses and victims – more than any other section of the population. Persistent young offenders are also at most risk of victimisation. Getting their relations with young people right is a key concern for the police but how can we assess the current situation and what can be done to improve it?

The Forum considered some of the following questions:

• What role should the police play in controlling and preventing youth crime?
• Have more recent police powers worked? Have they affected young people’s relations with the police for better or worse? What alternatives are available?
• What are the opportunities for expanding restorative policing?
• Can police offer a better service to young people as victims of crime? If so, how?