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Cranium Caviar was created and is maintained by Avon and Somerset Constabulary Internet Unit and Citizen Focus Policing Team. All content has been cleared for publication.

This website has been created to help educate young people about crime, drugs and the law.

Most young people do not commit crime and, of those who do, only a tiny proportion go on to reoffend and even less become persistent young offenders. It is something that every parent worries about but the truth is that the vast majority of young people are well behaved and make a very positive contribution to society. However, if you are worried about your children and offending, the following information may be helpful to you.

This website won't stop young people from committing crime – but it might help them to make the right choices and choose not to put themselves in danger.

Most parents wonder whether their children will offend and hope that they won't, but the reality is that we all break the rules when we are young. It is part of finding out where the boundaries of acceptable behaviour lie. What we do need to make sure of is that it doesn't become a bigger problem and that children and young people learn why certain types of behaviour are unacceptable.

There are certain risk and protective factors that can (but don't always) predict offending and non-offending. Research has shown that four risk factors present in a young person's life can predict offending.

The risk factors are:

Family

• Poor parental supervision and discipline
• Conflict
• History of criminal activity
• Parental attitudes that condone anti-social and criminal activity
• Low income
• Poor housing

School

• Low achievement beginning in primary school
• Aggressive behaviour, including bullying
• Lack of commitment including truanting
• School disorganisation

Community

• Living in a disadvantaged neighbourhood
• Disorganisation and neglect
• Availability of drugs
• High population turnover and lack of neighbourhood attachment

Personal

• Hyperactivity and impulsivity
• Low intelligence and cognitive impairment
• Alienation and lack of social commitment
• Attitudes that condone offending and drug misuse
• Early involvement in crime and drug misuse
• Friendships with peers involved in crime and drug misuse

Further research has suggested three more risk factors

• Availability of firearms
• Community laws and norms favouring drug use, firearms and crime
• Media portrayals of violence

Risk factors have a tendency to be present in ‘clusters' in children's lives and it is unlikely that the presence of just one or two factors can be a reliable predictor of offending. Likewise, some children may have many risk factors present but never go on to offend. The risk factors are only a guide to what might be a problem.

Some risk factors parents can take steps to change themselves; others are more difficult to change, but if you are at all worried you should contact your local Social Services Team or Youth Offending Team who will be able to help you.

Protective factors:

The protective factors guide us as to the elements that can be present in a young person's life that will tend to indicate that they are less likely to offend. They are:

Individual Factors

• Female Gender
• Resilient temperament
• Sense of self-efficacy (ability to achieve)
• Positive, outgoing disposition
• High intelligence

Social Bonding

• Stable, warm affectionate relationship with one or both parents
• Link with teachers and other adults and peers who hold positive attitudes and model positive social behaviour

Healthy Standards

• Prevailing attitudes across a community
• Views of parents
• Promotion of healthy standards within school
• Opportunities for involvement, social and reasoning skills, recognition and due praise

For further more detailed information the Youth Justice Board website has a range of information and publications available;

More information on Risk and Protective Factors

Youth Justice Board for England and Wales

Local Youth Offending Teams

Other useful information:

Get Savvy