Children under 10 committing crimes on the rise in Shropshire and Mid Wales

New figures have revealed crime figures for children have continued to increase in recent years on both sides of the border, with nearly 200 crimes committed in 2016 in Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin.

In the Dyfed-Powys Police force area almost 200 crimes were committed by youngsters in 2016/17.

In 2013/14 just 30 crimes were recorded, and that figure rose to 88 in 2014/15, and up to 145 in 2015/16.

In 2016/17 alone 10 incidents of sexual activity with a child under 13 were recorded, and 13 of exposure and voyeurism.

Over the four years, four rapes of a female under 13 were recorded and four of a male under 13.

Also the youngest child to commit a crime in 2013/14 was four years old and last year was just three years old.

Alana Perrin, spokeswoman for Dyfed Powys Police, said: “In line with Home Office guidelines, Dyfed Powys Police records all crimes committed by under 10s, so as to show a true picture of the issues.

“Where an offence is committed by someone under 10 years old they cannot be charged with committing a criminal offence as they have yet to reach the age of criminal responsibility.

“However all children below 10 years old who commit a crime are subject of child protection referrals, so that joint multi-agency interventions can be undertaken, to prevent future offending and safeguard the child offenders and any others at risk of their behaviour.

“Also School Community Police Officers across the force area deliver targeted age appropriate lessons in schools as part of the All Wales School Liaison Core Programme.”

Other figures showed assaults rose from just five in 2013/14 up to 53 in the last year.

Across the four years sexual assaults have risen, with one crime of sexual grooming.

Figures included two endangering life crimes, just one knife events, and one threat to kill.

In Shropshire, the number of suspects were above 100 for the last year, and the number of crimes last year had risen to 91, compared to 21 back in 2013.

In total, 196 crimes have been committed by children under 10 in Shropshire since 2013.

Figures in Telford and Wrekin were higher, with a total of 264 suspects under 10 in the last four years, and 286 crimes were committed in that time.

That figure had rose to 107 last year compared to 47 in 2013/14.

Detective Chief Inspector Mo Lansdale of West Mercia Police believes people being more confident in reporting crime is one factor behind the increased figures.

She said: “The increase in crimes committed by children aged 10 and under can be attributed to changes in the way crimes are recorded, as well as continuing confidence in people reporting crimes to police.

“West Mercia Police is committed to protecting people from harm and if an incident is reported to police, this will be investigated and recorded as a crime whenever it meets the criteria for an offence as outlined by the Home Office Counting Rules.

“Where an offender is under the age of criminal responsibility, we endeavour to work with teachers, parents and carers for appropriate outcomes, ensuring all victims receive the appropriate care and support that they need.”

“Our Safer Schools officers work within schools and local communities to ensure children receive the support and education needed to recognise the possible consequences of their actions, as well as raising awareness of crime and how it can be reported.”

National figures in 2016 showed 5,000 offences had been recorded against under 10s in the last two years.

A two year old had faced allegations of causing grievous bodily harm, and a five year old had been accused of rape.

In 2015, a dozen police forces recorded rapes carried out by those between five and nine, with the five year old being in Greater Manchester.