This article analyses assessment procedures for young offenders aged 10 to 17 years who receive a police Final Warning or appear before Youth Courts in England and Wales. Members of Youth Justice Teams (YOTs) use detailed ‘Asset’ forms to collate information about the background, education, life-style and personal characteristics of the young people. The replies are scored to indicate the risk of further offending and the YOTs make their recommendations for intervention. The author points out that punishment has to be proportional to the crime but many young people and their families require long-term help if they are to be diverted from crime.