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Crime children 'under court age' Crime children 'under court age'
(about 2 hours later)
Nearly 350 criminal offences have been committed by children in the East Midlands who were too young to be prosecuted, new figures show.Nearly 350 criminal offences have been committed by children in the East Midlands who were too young to be prosecuted, new figures show.
The offences range from burglary and arson to robbery and fraud, according to figures obtained by the BBC under the Freedom of Information Act.The offences range from burglary and arson to robbery and fraud, according to figures obtained by the BBC under the Freedom of Information Act.
East Midlands police forces recorded a total of 344 offences in 2006 committed by children aged nine or under.East Midlands police forces recorded a total of 344 offences in 2006 committed by children aged nine or under.
The law says children under 10 are too young to be criminally responsible.The law says children under 10 are too young to be criminally responsible.
The two youngest offenders, aged four, were involved in a racially aggravated common assault and causing criminal damage to a car. The four youngest offenders, aged four, were involved in racially aggravated common assaults and causing criminal damage.
OFFENCES BY CHILDREN IN 2006 Derbyshire 97Leicestershire 127Lincolnshire 25Nottinghamshire 95OFFENCES BY CHILDREN IN 2006 Derbyshire 97Leicestershire 127Lincolnshire 25Nottinghamshire 95
In Nottinghamshire, police recorded 83 cases of criminal damage, 73 physical assaults and a number of crimes involving air guns committed by children who cannot be prosecuted.In Nottinghamshire, police recorded 83 cases of criminal damage, 73 physical assaults and a number of crimes involving air guns committed by children who cannot be prosecuted.
Children in Derbyshire were responsible for more than 50 thefts and nearly 60 physical assaults.Children in Derbyshire were responsible for more than 50 thefts and nearly 60 physical assaults.
Leicestershire police recorded eight arson attacks, five burglaries and two indecent assaults by boys and girls aged nine and under.Leicestershire police recorded eight arson attacks, five burglaries and two indecent assaults by boys and girls aged nine and under.
In Lincolnshire three cases of arson, an indecent assault and a car theft were committed by children.In Lincolnshire three cases of arson, an indecent assault and a car theft were committed by children.
Officers in Lincolnshire said they were working with families and schools to try to stop children offending.Officers in Lincolnshire said they were working with families and schools to try to stop children offending.
Leicestershire's youth offending team said it was using toys in a scheme with eight-year-olds who have committed crimes.Leicestershire's youth offending team said it was using toys in a scheme with eight-year-olds who have committed crimes.
The figures were obtained by the BBC's social affairs correspondent for the East Midlands, Jeremy Ball.The figures were obtained by the BBC's social affairs correspondent for the East Midlands, Jeremy Ball.