cops often use the term to “cuff” someone when they have just nicked someone without any real force being used, these days they only tend to use handcuffs more often as more youths are resisting arrest… in the 1990s they didn’t even bother using cuffs if it was clear you weren’t going to run away!
“putting someone away” means as little as 2-6 hours in the cells most of the time, and then bail and unless they have seriously hurt someone its very hard these days to end up in prison for any length of time
Younger “petty” criminals still create victims. Often they are robbing from someone close to them or their own community, or trying to exert control over other youths using force, In some cases the initial shock of arrest and loss of their liberty is actually the “only language they understand”.
Even then young offenders (and even some older ones!) get way more “second chances” than 20 years ago
Last time I got arrested, the cops let me off the charges simply because I had a full time job and what I had been doing (sorting out an electric supply in a squat which was classed as “theft”) was intended to help others who were homeless rather than for my own personal gain!
