Five-Year Report: An analysis of Youth Survey Data

We have conducted Youth Surveys for the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales (YJB) since 1999. The overall aim of the research has been to examine the experiences of crime, of both offenders and victims, among 11– 16-year-old young people in mainstream education. This report draws upon the past five years of survey data and explores some key issues in more detail, in particular focusing on:  trends in offending and the profile of offenders;  characteristics of young offenders, particularly trends in age of first offence, likelihood of reoffending and victimisation; and trends in the nature of disposals given to offenders, including those who have committed violent crimes.

Technical information

Ipsos has conducted the Youth Surveys via the MORI Schools Omnibus, from which pupils aged 11–16 complete questionnaires in class time in schools. All questionnaires were completed in interviewer-supervised, self completion sessions. Data have been weighted by gender, age and region according to data supplied by the Department for Education and Skills and the Welsh Office. In this report, reference is made to previous surveys of young people conducted on behalf of the YJB from 2001 to 2005. Over time, some questions have been altered and therefore cannot be trended, particularly the list of offences which young people may commit. This is noted in the appropriate sections of the report.