Conference participants came to several general conclusions. The first is that there has not been a substantial increase in juvenile crime, or of more serious and persistent offending by a small group of offenders. Participants felt that the main response to juvenile delinquency must be facilitated through existing services and facilities, with a greater emphasis on improving standards and filling gaps in services. Some services for juveniles which had the capacity to reduce crime were being curtailed or withdrawn because of budgetary cutbacks. While secure accommodation was needed for some exceptionally difficult offenders, in general, the case has not been made for a new custodial sentence or new custodial institutions for juvenile offenders in Britain.