THREE four-year-olds have been collared by police for assault and criminal damage in the last 12-months.


Crimes committed by children under 10 - February 2016. <a href="http://www.cnnewmedia.co.uk/locker/nw/image/crimes-by-kids-graphs.jpg"><strong>Click here</strong></a> to see a larger view Primary school children across south and west Cumbria - aged between five and nine - have also committed crimes but are too young to be prosecuted.

Assaults, criminal damage, burglary, theft and shoplifting are among the shocking offences carried out by children, figures have revealed.

Cumbria police said that it was vital they spoke to these young people when they are at their most "susceptible" and they "do not realise the consequences of their actions".

Police say interaction with the children can help make them understand that they are heading down a path which "could lead them to have a criminal record which could have an impact on their life, all for something they did when they were a child".

A Freedom of Information request revealed that there were 60 crimes committed by under-10s in south Cumbria and six in Copeland.

The age of the youngsters mean police were unable to bring charges as the age of criminal responsibility in England is 10, meaning under-10s have to be released without charge.

The most common crime committed was assault, with 37 offences. This was followed by criminal damage with 12 incidents and six counts of theft.

In the last year crimes have been committed in south and west Cumbria by three four-year-olds, three children aged six, six youngsters aged seven, 24 aged eight and 38 aged nine.

A force spokesman said: "Officers and PCSOs work hard to engage with young people to deter them from becoming involved in crime. 

"It is vitally important to speak to young people when they are at their most susceptible and do not realise the consequences of their actions. 

"The interaction with the children can help to make them realise that they are heading down a path which could lead them to have a criminal record which could have an impact on their life, all for something they did when they were a child. 

"In the vast majority of cases engaging at an early stage with the children, can be sufficient to deter young people away from offending and the initiatives that are adopted in Cumbria have been successful in reducing youth anti-social behaviour and crime.” 

"We deliver preventative sessions and/or talks in schools looking at law and consequences, internet safety, and other issues. We have the junior citizen scheme in south and west Cumbria which again gives primary schools access to key personal and community safety messages. 

"Cumbria police also attend family meetings where families or schools identify young people who may be at risk of entering the criminal justice system. 

"At these meetings we may suggest using good promise agreements for under 10s or ABC Contracts as a way of addressing the young person’s behaviour. 

"We may also work with the prevent and deter panels or focus family team to look at supporting the family/young person, again the main aim is to keep the young person out of the criminal justice system. 

"Unfortunately a crime has to be recorded for an offence but due to the age of the juveniles they will be no further action and preventative measures put in place."