HL Deb 26 June 1997 vol 580 cc184-5WA
Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are aware that a quarter of young offenders surveyed in the Audit Commission report Misspent Youth (1996) cited "lack of money" as a reason for offending; whether they have any further knowledge of the extent and causes of this lack of money; and whether they are in a position to say how far this finding measures greed, and how far it measures destitution.

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The Question relates to a survey of 103 young people on supervision orders undertaken by the Audit Commission for its reportMisspent Youth, which the Government has had the opportunity to study. The survey sought to determine, among other things, the main reasons young offenders gave for their behaviour. The survey showed that 24 per cent. gave "no money" as a reason, while a further 9 per cent. said they offended because of "greed and excitement", but it did not comment on destitution.

Other research (Graham and Bowling, Young People and Crime, Home Office Research Study No 145) has confirmed that key factors related to juvenile criminality are:

being brought up by a criminal parent or parents;

living in a family with multiple problems;

experiencing poor parenting and a lack of supervision;

poor discipline in the family and at school;

playing truant;

associating with delinquent friends; and

having brothers and sisters who offend.