More children and young people have been "criminalised" in recent years for behaviour which would be better dealt with informally, the former Youth Justice Board chair has said.
In a report published today, Rod Morgan says government policy aimed at diverting minor offences from court has drawn more people into the criminal justice system than before.
He claimed that use of summary justice - including cautions and fixed penalty notices to deal with minor offences outside the courts - could be "overzealous" and needed scrutiny.
Morgan resigned as chair of the Youth Justice Board last year. He became increasingly outspoken over the "swamping" of the youth justice system under Labour.
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