Black children 15% less likely to be offered diversion choice, new London data shows
Black children, who commit minor crimes, are less likely to be diverted away from the criminal justice system, figures shared with ITV News London have shown.
Diversion aims to end criminality among young people and offers them an alternative path.
It's used for minor offences or first time offenders - allowing them to be diverted rather than going through the standard court process.
New research from the Youth Endowment Fund shows the impact of diversion:
There is also a postcode lottery to where diversion is being provided.
The highest rates are in Bromley (66%), Bexley (65%) and Kingston Upon Thames (65%). Where as the lowest are in Haringey (43%), Lambeth (42%) and Hackney (41%).
Omarni has benefitted from diversion after he was arrested for carrying Class A drugs.
He is now a mentor at United Borders.
"When I was younger, all I was focused on was having fun and trying to make money as well," he said.
"When you're a teenager you want to go out a lit, and have fun with your friends.
"Being around here you're put in a negative environment, but when you have positive people around you, you can shift your mindset and come out of it."
The charity use music as a way to guide people away from violence.
There is a United Borders bus where young people to come and record music as well as another area to relax.
But the priority for the staff here is steering young people away from violence.
Omarni said: "If you stick with it eventually it will bring you out of whatever you're in."
Though this new research shows the success of diversion, it also sheds a light on how black children are 15% less likely to be given this choice.
Black children also faced disproportionately higher rates of police contact than children from other ethnic groups (making up 44.3% of all cases, despite only representing 24.7% of the local population over the study period).
United Borders are joining calls for diversion to be more widely offered.
Lead mentor, Tanvi Patel, said: "Young people they're our future, so we have to give them the best chances, the best opportunities and the best support.
"By diverting them away from negative activities and negative mindsets we then give them the best hope and the best chances for the future."
Ciaran Thapar, director of communications rom the Youth Endowment Fund added: "I think arresting and locking people up is not always the solution, in fact often it makes things words.
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