Suffolk: 174 children too young to be prosecuted for crimes

Statistics revealed in a Freedom of Information request to Suffolk Constabulary have shown that 174 children in Suffolk were either too young to be prosecuted or were proved to not know that what they were doing was seriously wrong.

The children were identified as suspects in 238 investigations, with some being linked to more than one inquiry.

The crimes were for various offences, occurring between December 1, 2021, and November 30, 2022.

The most common offence was for assault without injury, which had 105 arrests, with the second being actual bodily harm with 31 arrests.

There were two counts of rape of a male under the age of 13 and one rape of a female under the age of 13.

There were also five cases of sexual assault on a female child under 13, and seven of sexual assault on a male child.

Two arrests were made for either having a blade or a point on a school or further education premises, and two more were for threatening with a blade, sharply pointed article or offensive weapon on school or further education grounds.

Suffolk Constabulary's Chief Superintendent Marina Ericson, said: "Reports of offences involving children as suspects are taken seriously and dealt with sensitively by police as they can be complex matters.

Chief superintendent Marina Ericson (Image: Archant)

"The welfare of the victim is of the utmost importance and support is offered at all stages to ensure their needs are met and the appropriate services are provided.

"While children under the age of 10 years cannot by law be held criminally responsible or subject to prosecution, we are committed to closely working with parents to steer vulnerable youths of all ages away from crime.

"Police officers work with partners in youth offending teams and children's social care to reduce re-offending by determining the needs of the child and to provide the appropriate level of support to the family.

"The 'criminalisation' of children is avoided where appropriate, through education, diversion and problem solving, which includes exploring causational factors and vulnerabilities such as health, education and home life."

Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk, Tim Passmore said: “This is a very sensitive issue, and one that needs to be handled with compassion. 

"Supporting victims will always be at the heart of everything we do but I really do believe that everyone should be given a second chance. 

"We must do everything possible to avoid criminalising young people and work together to ensure that they are given the support they need to make the right choices and lead a fulfilling life.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk Tim Passmore. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown)

“Through my commissioning, I support many organisations which give young people the support and focus they need to keep them out of trouble with the police.  If a young person reaches adult-hood with a criminal record they will find it almost impossible to get a job and this could lead to a downward spiral.

"As a society we need to do all we can to support parents and carers too as often children growing up without boundaries and guidance are more likely to stray into trouble.”

By law, children under the age of 10 are not considered to have reached an age where they can be held responsible for their crimes.

Due to being under the age of 'criminal responsibility', they cannot be charged with any criminal offence.

Children aged between 10 and 14 can be convicted of a criminal offence if it can be proved that they were aware that what they were doing was seriously wrong.

Other offences that had high child arrest rates include criminal damage to a vehicle with nine cases, harassment without violence - which had nine cases, and taking, making or distributing indecent photographs of children - with eight cases.

Children in Suffolk were also suspects for theft from shops, stalls or elsewhere which has four cases in total, sending letters with intent to cause distress or anxiety, which had three cases and non-fatal strangulation which had one offence.

Two were arrested for threats to kill, while another 11 were arrested for criminal damage to either a building, residence or anything else, that is worth under £5,000.

Two were arrested for assault by beating a constable, and another two for assault on a police officer causing occasional actual bodily harm.