A reprimand is suitable for a first offence if it is not grave and the young person admits guilt. It is delivered by police either immediately or through a bail back programme. (The bail back programme involves the young person being bailed by the police to return back on a certain date.) During the bail period, the youth offending team (YOT) will seek to contact and assess the young person’s suitability for a prevention/intervention programme. When the young person returns at the end of the bail period, the police can deliver the reprimand while also bearing in mind the outcome of the Yot assessment. The YOT will also be there.
A reprimand can involve a brief intervention by the YOT if the young person is assessed as high risk. The intervention is voluntary for the young person.
Once a young person has received a reprimand they cannot be reprimanded again. For a second offence they must either be given a Final Warning or charged.