Youth Policing Plan 2012 - 2015

The national Youth Policing Plan 2012-2015 (Youth Policing – Where Prevention Starts) is our blueprint for policing children and young people. It describes how we will increase the protection and safety of children and young people and reduce their presence in the criminal justice system.

Youth are one of New Zealand Police’s five operational priorities. The Youth Policing Plan supports the Prevention First operating strategy, putting prevention at the forefront of what we do.

An evidence-based approach, delivered in partnership with community, iwi, non-government and Government organisations, is essential if we are to help children and young people. No single factor can be said to ‘cause’ youth crime. Rather, a number of risk factors interact in the lives of some children and young people, while protective factors are absent. Impacting on those factors in a positive way helps prevent crime, making youth and our communities safer.

This plan describes what we will do to ensure we interact positively with the young people and communities we serve.