Youth Justice Statistics

Lord Paddick Excerpts

Thursday 10th June 2021 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con)]

I understand the noble Baroness’s keen interest in this and all the work that she does, but we are working to strengthen further our understanding of how we can ensure that children from ethnic minorities can be diverted from the formal youth justice system where appropriate. We have secured funding to support ethnic minority children at risk of entering the criminal justice system through sports and other activities, and we are undertaking practical local initiatives on out-of-court disposals.

[Lord Paddick (LD) [V]]

My Lords, the criminal justice system at every stage disproportionately impacts black people. For example, if you are black, you are eight times more likely to be stopped and searched by the police for drugs, but you are just as likely as white people to be found with drugs. Largely due to minor drugs offences, there are more African Americans in jail than in university in the United States. What are the comparable figures for the United Kingdom? If the noble Baroness does not have the answer to hand, perhaps she could write to me and place a copy in the Library.

[Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con)]

I thank the noble Lord. I do not have those figures with me, and I will certainly write to him and place a copy in the Library.