Children named as suspects in North Wales Police investigations

Freedom of Information data obtained by The Leader from North Wales Police details the number of suspects in cases from 2020, 2021 and 2022 who fall below the age of criminal responsibility (10 years of age).

In total, there were 704 such suspects, with the annual total increasing year on year: from 205 in 2020 to 230 the year after, then 269 in 2022.

275 of the total relate to cases of assault without injury, and 76 related to assault with injury.

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Forty related to public fear, alarm or distress and 36 related to harassment.

Several of the suspects were connected to criminal damage of varying sorts: damage to a dwelling (18), damage to a building other than a dwelling (4), damage to a vehicle (25), other criminal damage (42).

And 76 of the children were suspected of sexual assaults, with a further 11 being named as suspects in rape investigations.

Numerous other under 10's were suspected of other crimes, including: possession of blades or weapons, burglary, blackmail, shoplifting, arson, obscene publications, malicious communications, threats to kill and more.

Detective Superintendent Simon Williams said: “Where children under the age of criminal responsibility commit what would otherwise be criminal acts, officers who are trained to recognise and prioritise vulnerabilities will assess whether the child needs support and safeguarding intervention.

“We have robust mechanisms for sharing such information with our partners and working with them on a case-by-case basis to address any underlying vulnerabilities.

“We also work in accordance with the All Wales Child Protection Procedures and have excellent pathways into children’s social care, health, education, and Youth Justice Services.

“When a child aged between eight and 10 has behavioural concerns, the Youth Justice Service will work with them on a voluntary basis and offer a range of courses to suit their needs, while educating them in a safe environment.

"They will work with partners including social services, CAMHS, schools and family support to ensure a wraparound service.

“Further work is also carried out by a team of Schools Police Officers in North Wales who cover 420 primary and secondary schools, special education schools and pupil referral units.

"The officers are trained to deliver lessons to children aged between five and 16 on themes including personal safety, safeguarding, behaviour and community.

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“In addition to their professional training as police officers, they support schools in many ways through supportive policing; dealing with incidents using the School Crime Beat policy and offering restorative resolutions with the aim of educating young people about some of the challenges that affect society.

“The intention of the programme is to safeguard all children and young people living in Wales by providing them with information about the dangers associated with domestic abuse, bullying, anti-social behaviour, internet safety, weapons, and community cohesion to hopefully avoid entry into the Criminal Justice System.”

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said: “Criminal activity and incidents involving children as young as 10 and under is an extremely sensitive issue.

"The issue needs to be handled appropriately so we can intervene early, encourage good behaviour and prevent further brushes with police as the children grow.

"My Police and Crime Plan prioritises delivering safer neighbourhoods, supporting victims and communities and ensuring a fair and effective criminal justice system and crime involving young people touches all of these areas.

"Nobody wants to see children committing crime and, as Police and Crime Commissioner, I work with partners from across the police, local communities, education, social services, youth offending teams and others to reduce criminality and address community concerns.

"I also invest in projects in North Wales which deal with the root causes of crime and which offer children other ways of occupying themselves, such as through sporting clubs and other community and youth groups.

"However, these children often have complex needs, which require intervention and hard work to change, and it is up to us all – led by policing and other public services – to recognise this, act accordingly and to help make North Wales the safest place possible for all ages.”