The report of the Young Review on improving outcomes for black and Muslim young men was launched in December 2014. It led to the establishment of the Young Review Independent Advisory Group which was chaired for the last four years by Baroness Lola Young. Earlier this year Baroness Young decided to step down as Chair. Her contribution has been immense and critical to the success of the Independent Advisory Group.

With the appointment of our new Chair, Iqbal Wahhab OBE, in May the Advisory Group took the decision to change its name, rebrand and review its strategy.

The Home Secretary’s speech to the National Police Chief’s Council adds to the bitterly disappointing punitive narrative around the rise in violent crime. The challenge of serious youth violence requires politicians to seriously contemplate the effectiveness of current failed approaches and to have the courage to challenge the conventional wisdoms of perpetual punishment that our failing criminal justice system is built upon.