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Crime: Children in Care

Asked by Dr Al PinkertonLiberal DemocratMinistry of JusticeTabled Answered 9 June 2026UIN 5610

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to help prevent the criminalisation of children while in care.

Answered by Catherine Atkinson

The Government recognises the disproportionate number of care-experienced people among the custodial population in both the youth and adult estate and is taking steps to address this.

In November last year, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a review of the national protocol for reducing the criminalisation of this cohort. We intend to publish a strengthened protocol later this year. This will strengthen the guidance for agencies including the police, health services and local authorities.

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