Call to help young people in trouble with the law in Hertfordshire

VOLUNTEERS are needed in Crow country to help youngsters in trouble with the law. By law, if a child is arrested by the police they need an adult to be present during interview to ensure their rights are protected and to support them generally. It is not

VOLUNTEERS are needed in Crow country to help youngsters in trouble with the law.

By law, if a child is arrested by the police they need an adult to be present during interview to ensure their rights are protected and to support them generally.

It is not always possible for a parent or carer to undertake this role and, in such a case, a volunteer "appropriate adult" will be asked to accompany the young person.

Youth Offender Panel volunteers are members of the public who sit on panels designed to give communities a say in how young people who have offended can repair the harm they have done and positively help them not to offend further.

Such cases largely involve 10 to 17-year-olds and will have been the subject of a referral order by a court.

Hertfordshire Youth Justice Service is inviting anyone over the age of 18 and interested in volunteering to become either youth offender panellists or appropriate adults to an introductory evening on Monday, January 18 at the Jim MacDonald Centre, MacDonald Court, High View, Hatfield, AL10 8HR beginning at 6.30pm.

Formal training for appropriate adult and youth offender panel candidates will follow in February and March.

Find out more about volunteering for the Youth Justice Service via www.yjb.gov.uk/get involved