Final Warnings

A young person who commits a first offence, which is not a serious one, can be issued with a Reprimand by the police. A Reprimand is a formal "telling off" given to the young person in the presence of their parents or carers. A young person can only receive one Reprimand.

 

If a young person then commits a further offence, which again is not a serious one, or they commit an offence for which a Reprimand is not appropriate, a Final Warning can be given. Before the Final Warning is delivered by the police to the young person in the presence of their parents or carers, an assessment is made by the Youth Offending Service, usually carried out by the seconded police officer.

 

The assessment identifies areas of work which will reduce the risk of that young person offending again. The Youth Offending Service will then undertake the programme of work with the young person.