Police called in to deal with three-year-old vandal

A THREE-year-old vandal is the youngest suspect reported to Rotherham police in a kiddie crimewave in the last three years.

The youngster was reported vandalising cars in Kiveton Park in May in one of 15 incidents of criminal damage involving pre-teen youngsters so far this year.

Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act reveal a shocking list of children committing offences.

Since the start of 2009, South Yorkshire Police have logged more than 400 offences including:

• Boys aged 7, 8 and 10 involved in racially-aggravated criminal damage.
• More car vandals aged four, five and six.
• Three 10-year-old robbers.
• Four cases of rape involving under-13s.

The age of criminal responsibility is 10.

Nearly 120 of the 435 crimes recorded were dealt with by restorative justice, which can be employed for a first offence when the offender is between 10 and 17 and when the victim agrees.

What do you think of the figures? Why are so many youngsters turning to crime and how can we stop them? Use the "write a comment" buttons to post your views.

Number of pre-teen crimes falling: SEE THIS WEEK'S ADVERTISER.