Children too young to be prosecuted were the main suspects in almost 3,000 crimes last year, figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show.

 

According to statistics released by 32 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales, children aged under 10 were thought to be responsible for 66 sexual offences, including indecent assaults on other children aged under 13.

 

In total, the forces recorded 2,840 crimes where the suspect was under 10. Nearly half, around 1,300, were incidents of criminal damage and arson.

 

Children were also suspected of harassment, wounding and burglary.

 

If a child is nine or under, he or she cannot be charged with an offence in England and Wales, although the crime will be recorded by the police.

 

The number of crimes where children were the main suspects make up a tiny percentage of the 5.5 million incidents reported to the police during the same period, according to Home Office figures.

 

Source: Sunday Express

 

If an adult with a mental age of nine commits a criminal offence they will probably not be prosecuted. A child with a mental age of nine should be treated in the same way.

 

If a child commits a criminal offence the priority should be to ensure they don't offend again. Locking them up with other offenders - who can pass on some tips - will not achieve that.

. Locking them up with other offenders - who can pass on some tips - will not achieve that.

 

you could argue that with adults...

 

the parents should take the blame, its their responsability to bring their brats up in a correct manner.

I think in terms of gangs and 'estate mentality' the elder members get the youngest to do the dirty work as they cannot be prosecuted. putting the youngest in prison won't be the answer.