The contributors to this volume examine the range and nature of problem behaviours among children and young people and the changing nature of their offending, which is reflected in the ongoing examination of philosophies, practices and policies and the tension between `welfare' and more traditional `justice and punishment' approaches. They recognise the increasing obligation of recognising the rights of young people who offend and trace the relationship between explanations of offending by this group and the implications these have for the development of relevant and effective crime prevention strategies.
They consider not only English, Scottish and Welsh systems, but also the international arena. With reviews of juvenile justice systems and measures for dealing with juvenile offenders being undertaken in most European countries British developments are evaluated in the broader context of general trends in offending by children and young people.
