Public reporting on youth justice outcomes provides a national evidence base for understanding how children encounter the justice system and how services respond over time. These annual statistics inform policymakers, local authorities and practitioners about patterns in custody, court processes and community interventions across England and Wales.
The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales announced the publication of the Youth Justice Statistics 2024 to 2025 on 29 January 2026, detailing trends in first-time entrants, custody levels, court delays, remand use and reoffending.
Publication of Youth Justice Statistics 2024–2025
The annual statistical release provides a comprehensive overview of youth justice activity for the year ending March 2025, covering children aged 10 to 17 who have contact with the system.
It is designed to support joined-up decision-making by central government, local authorities and youth justice services through consistent national evidence.
Scope and Coverage of the Annual Dataset
| Population covered | Children aged 10 to 17 in the youth justice system in England and Wales |
| Time period | Year ending March 2025, published January 2026 |
| Primary measures | First-time entrants, custody levels, court timelines, remand use, reoffending, police contact |
Record Lows in First-Time Entrants and Custody
The statistics show that the number of children entering the youth justice system for the first time fell to 8,100, the lowest level recorded.
The average number of children in custody also declined by 3 per cent, from 431 to 418, reflecting continued use of prevention, diversion and community-based responses.
- Reductions in first-time entrants through diversion and early intervention
- Lower average custody levels linked to community-based outcomes
Headline Youth Justice Trends
| First-time entrants | 8,100, the lowest level on record |
| Average custody population | 418 children, a 3 per cent reduction year-on-year |
| Average court delay | 230 days from offence to completion |
Court Delays and Use of Remand
The average time from offence to court completion increased to 230 days, marking the longest period recorded and extending the length of time children and victims wait for outcomes.
Custodial remand continued to be widely used, with 62 per cent of children remanded not going on to receive a custodial sentence, indicating ongoing pressure within the system.
Trends in Reoffending and Unmet Need
The overall rate of reoffending fell slightly to 31.8 per cent, showing that fewer children returned to the system after an initial outcome.
At the same time, the frequency of reoffending rose to a ten-year high, highlighting the presence of complex and persistent needs among a smaller cohort of children.
- Lower overall reoffending rates across the system
- Higher repeat offending among a smaller group of children
Disproportionality and Ethnic Representation
The data indicate continued over-representation of Black and Mixed ethnicity children at multiple stages of the youth justice system.
Of particular note, the proportion of children in custody identified as Mixed ethnicity increased to around 18 per cent, nearly double the level recorded a decade earlier.
Evidence Use and Policy Development
The Youth Justice Board stated that the figures will be used to guide system-wide reform and inform local and national policy planning.
Additional publications, including an Evidence and Insights Pack on victims and a focused report on disproportionality, are scheduled for release in February 2026.
Stakeholder Comments
Ministerial Comments
Stephanie Roberts-Bibby, Chief Executive of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales said;
“This report proves that when we prioritise prevention, it works. Seeing child first-time entrants and custodial numbers at record lows is a testament to the dedication of youth justice workers and their local partners. However, a 230-day wait for court completion is unacceptable and stalls rehabilitation and delays closure for victims.”
Closing Thoughts
The latest youth justice statistics show sustained reductions in system entry and custody alongside continued pressure from court delays, remand practice and disproportionality.
The Youth Justice Board has indicated that forthcoming evidence publications will support policy development and service planning across England and Wales, as national and local partners review how data can inform future responses for children and victims.
Sources: Youth Justice Board for England and Wales.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organisation delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analysed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
