News

Most of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 came into force on 1 October, although many of the youth justice elements will be pilot tested first before being introduced nationally during 2000.

Local authorities had to have drawn up a youth justice plan for their area by 1 October, detailing how they will implement the multi-agency youth offending teams.

The National Youth Justice Board, which will set standards and monitor the changes, started work on the same date.

Councils must have their youth offending teams in place by April 2000.

The new youth offending teams are being piloted in four areas:

n the London boroughs of Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, and Westminster (jointly);

n Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth, and Isle of Wight (jointly);

n Wolverhampton; and

n Sheffield.

Five further areas will pilot test child safety and parenting orders and youth offending teams:

n the London Borough of Lewisham;

n Luton & Bedfordshire;

n Devon;

n St Helens; and

n Sunderland.

Two other areas (Blackburn and Northamptonshire), which are pilot testing procedural changes to cut down delays in the criminal system, will also pilot the final warning and youth offending team provisions.