The final warning scheme was created by the 1998 Crime and Disorder Act. Final warning is a formal verbal warning given by a police officer.  The young person is assessed to determine the causes of their offending behaviour.  Its aim is to help young offenders take responsibility for their actions, discover why they offended, and prevent them from offending again. However, if the young person is arrested for a further offence, within two years of receiving a final warning, they will almost always go to court.

Final warnings are given to young people on the understanding that the Youth Offending Team will work with the young offender and their parents or guardian to complete a series of short tasks - beginning with a meeting between the young offender and a Youth Offending Team Officer.

It is important that the young person attends this first meeting, as it will be used to decide what the programme of work will involve. For example, the young person may be required to take part in offence and victim-focused sessions, carry out work that benefits the victim or the community, or even meet his or her victim to make a personal apology.

Parents or guardians should attend all meetings with the young person, and ensure that the young person successfully completes his or her assignments.

Contact us:

The Halton and Warrington Youth Offending Team has now moved from Grosvenor House to:

Halton and Warrington Youth Offending Team
Unit 10, Turnstone Business Park
Mulberry Avenue
Widnes
Cheshire
WA8 0WN

Telephone 0151 495 584 0 (there are 4 incoming lines. You can replace the last 0 with 1, 2 or 3)