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Crime by girl offenders 'up 22%' | Crime by girl offenders 'up 22%' |
(30 minutes later) | |
The number of crimes committed by girls in England and Wales has risen by 22% over four years, according to a Ministry of Justice report. | The number of crimes committed by girls in England and Wales has risen by 22% over four years, according to a Ministry of Justice report. |
Youth Offending Teams' figures show nearly 58,000 offences were committed by female offenders aged 10 to 17 in 2007-08 - up 10,000 on 2003-04. | Youth Offending Teams' figures show nearly 58,000 offences were committed by female offenders aged 10 to 17 in 2007-08 - up 10,000 on 2003-04. |
The report concludes that there has been a "degree of convergence between the sexes" in less serious offending. | The report concludes that there has been a "degree of convergence between the sexes" in less serious offending. |
But crime reduction charity Nacro said girls were a "soft target" for police. | But crime reduction charity Nacro said girls were a "soft target" for police. |
'Change of behaviour' | 'Change of behaviour' |
According to the data, males remain more involved in crime, especially in serious crime. | According to the data, males remain more involved in crime, especially in serious crime. |
Over the same four-year period the number of cases involving male young offenders fell by 20,000 - a reduction of 9%. | Over the same four-year period the number of cases involving male young offenders fell by 20,000 - a reduction of 9%. |
The report includes separate figures from a survey suggesting that 17% of girls and young women aged 10 to 25 admitted an offence in 2006 - up from 11% seven years before. | The report includes separate figures from a survey suggesting that 17% of girls and young women aged 10 to 25 admitted an offence in 2006 - up from 11% seven years before. |
The male proportion stayed the same at 26%. The fact that girls are more likely to be out and about has made them more visible Jackie WorrallNacro | The male proportion stayed the same at 26%. The fact that girls are more likely to be out and about has made them more visible Jackie WorrallNacro |
The report says: "It is possible that girls' willingness to admit offences has increased in tandem with society's expectations about their behaviour." | The report says: "It is possible that girls' willingness to admit offences has increased in tandem with society's expectations about their behaviour." |
But Jackie Worrall, director of policy and public affairs for the crime reduction charity Nacro, said the figures should be treated with caution. | But Jackie Worrall, director of policy and public affairs for the crime reduction charity Nacro, said the figures should be treated with caution. |
"Police targets in relation to bringing offenders to justice mean they have been going for the soft targets, and girls are the soft target," she added. | "Police targets in relation to bringing offenders to justice mean they have been going for the soft targets, and girls are the soft target," she added. |
"The offences they commit are usually fairly petty. | "The offences they commit are usually fairly petty. |
"I think there has been a bit of a change of behaviour on the part of girls. The fact that girls are more likely to be out and about has made them more visible." | "I think there has been a bit of a change of behaviour on the part of girls. The fact that girls are more likely to be out and about has made them more visible." |
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson emphasised that young females only accounted for 21% of offences. | |
"Youth crime can have a devastating effect on victims and communities, and must be tackled head-on," the spokesperson added. | |
"That is why last year the Government set out a package of funding and support for local authorities through the Youth Crime Action Plan." |