ABSTRACT
Over 150 years have passed since a little-remembered Victorian social worker named Ellice Hopkins first coined the phrase ‘were it not a thousand times better instead of sending our ambulances to the foot of the cliff we should build a fence at the top’ (quoted in Watson 1973: 44). Although this phrase has become very well worn in countless contexts, as far as tackling youth crime is concerned the point she made is still very relevant. This book is concerned with building ‘a fence at the top of the cliff’ which will prevent children from becoming involved in antisocial and offending behaviour in the first place. The book will argue that ways need to be developed to target young people who are in danger of becoming offenders long before they fall into this category. If we can identify these vulnerable young people at an early age, work can be undertaken with them and their parents to help them lead more productive and law-abiding lives and prevent them engaging in antisocial and offending behaviour. Even a modest reduction in youth crime offers potentially significant gains: fewer victims suffering injury or loss, fewer lives blighted by the fear of crime, reduced public expenditure on the youth justice system and an end to overcrowding in young offenders’ institutions. Additionally, the prevention of youth crime offers the prospect of fewer young offenders leading adult lives damaged by their early involvement in crime and the criminal justice system. Thus, the potential human, social and economic benefits of preventing youth crime are considerable.
