The Justice Secretary, David Lammy, is looking at plans that could allow people to have their childhood criminal records wiped.
The goal is simple: prevent minor youthful mistakes from haunting people decades later.
For too many, petty crimes like street fighting or bike theft in their teens still show up on background checks for jobs, even into their 50s, 60s, and 70s.
Why the Change Matters
Currently, there’s no easy way to stop minor offences from following people for life.
Lammy’s proposal aims to simplify the criminal records system so it’s clear and fair, especially when it comes to offences committed as children.
He told The Telegraph that the government wants a system that is “proportionate” and doesn’t punish people unnecessarily for youthful indiscretions.
A Second Chance, Not a Free Pass
Lammy isn’t suggesting serious crimes be erased.
Offences like drug dealing or harassment are still under debate.
The focus is on giving people a chance to move on from minor mistakes.
His approach is inspired by the US system, where people can apply to a judge to seal certain criminal records if they can show they’ve turned their lives around.
The record still exists legally but wouldn’t need to be disclosed to employers.
Past Recommendations and Minority Communities
This isn’t the first time Lammy has pushed for reform.
In 2017, during a review commissioned by David Cameron, he suggested that members of black, Asian, and other minority communities often faced harsher consequences in the justice system.
His recommendation allowed judges or parole boards to seal records for rehabilitated individuals, giving them a second chance without erasing history entirely.
Balancing Public Safety and Rehabilitation
Defining what counts as a “serious offence” could be tricky.
The Deputy Prime Minister would have to decide whether crimes like drug dealing or racial abuse should ever be eligible for wiping.
Children’s Commissioner Rachel de Souza has supported giving judges the power to wipe records for minor crimes once the person has served their time, arguing that everyone deserves a clean slate for silly mistakes in youth.
Real-Life Impacts
There are stark examples of why reform is needed.
Last year, a 13-year-old girl who kicked a glass door at an asylum hotel and threatened violence still has that offence on her permanent record.
This means it will be disclosed if she ever works with children.
More broadly, freedom of information figures show that around 160,000 people have had childhood offences revealed to potential employers, including older adults with records for bike theft or fare-dodging from decades ago.
Government’s Perspective
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said the aim is to “help children who have committed crime to stop reoffending and turn their lives around.”
Simplifying the system could give people the chance to move on while still keeping public safety a priority.
Lammy’s plans, if adopted, could finally bring the justice system closer to a balance between accountability and forgiveness.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn