Last year alone over 50,000 cautions or convictions were handed to 18-25 year olds, for low-level and non-violent crimes, like theft. In later life these minor offences dominate the criminal record of adults, people who repeat offend now accounts for nearly 40% of all offenders. Behind these numbers lies misery, a revolving door of crisis and crime that destroys lives, families and communities.

These offences are driven by persistent poverty and profound trauma, but they are preventable. A smarter criminal justice system would intervene earlier, giving our young adults hope of a good life. The preventative measures taken by police and Youth Offending Teams have shown what is possible, reducing the number of children entering the criminal justice system to the lowest levels on record. We can do the same for our young adults.

We have a once in a generation opportunity to prevent the cycle of crisis and crime. Our strong coalition of Police and Crime Commissioners, police services and charities, led by Revolving Doors Agency, is taking action to prevent young adults being pulled into the cycle of crime and crisis.