The Youth Restorative Disposal (YRD) is a new option for Police which holds 10 to 17 year olds to account for minor crime and disorder through the use of restorative justice.

Restorative justice principles allow the victim to take an active role in the way an offender is dealt with and help them understand how they became a victim of crime.

YRDs are only an option for low-level incidents, where guilt is admitted and where there is a practical option for an apology or for the young person to put right the harm or loss they have caused. It aims to strike the right balance between addressing the offence and providing support for young people in encouraging them to not commit further instances of crime or anti-social behaviour.

A key element of the initiative is for Police Officers to consider the wider needs of the young person and make appropriate referrals to partner agencies to offer support if any needs are identified.