The borough’s team for tackling youth crime has been praised a month after a major merger with Richmond.

Richmond and Kingston youth offending service was commended for its dedicated staff in a joint inspection carried out by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation.

The two boroughs merged into a single service in June this year and underwent an inspection in July, the results of which were published on Wednesday, August 7. 

The inspectors reported that despite the early position of the new service there were strengths across the board.

The report said services were of a “high quality” and case managers were working hard to “change the cycle of offending”.

Areas for improvement included the need for quality planning in safeguarding and vulnerability in community and custodial sentences and including diversity in action plans.

Councillor Margaret Thompson, Kingston Council’s lead member for children and young people, said in a statement: “This assessment shows two boroughs working together effectively, putting young people and those affected at the heart of everything we do.

"We will build upon the strong foundations we have laid and work hard to ensure a joint service of the highest quality.”