Should harsher punishments be imposed on child offenders? David Higgerson reports
by David Higgerson, Liverpool Daily Post
YESTERDAY, the Liverpool Daily Post revealed how children as young as 12 are being arrested for possession of guns.
In fact, 48 youngsters under 18 were arrested for gun possession last year.
Others, the same age, have been arrested for possession of Class A drugs. Merseyside Police have stressed that such cases are rare - but last year the Daily Post revealed more than 1,300 crimes were committed by under 14s last year.
A spokesman said: "We would also expand the use of random drugtesting in schools. If young people thought they would be caught, they’d think twice. That is why we need more police on the street."
A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: "Fortunately, these sort of incidents involving young people are extremely rare. "If the child is above the criminal age of responsibility, they will be dealt with by the court system.
"Serious juvenile offenders are treated in the same way as adult offenders. We use intelligence and targeted operations to prevent crimes being committed. In circumstances where it is required, we charge juvenile offenders and prosecute them effectively.
"By engaging young people at an early stage and diverting them away from crime, we aim to increase life opportunities as well as preventing young people becoming offenders in the future."
But some, including the Conservatives, argue that things would be better if punishments were more severe.
So today, we ask: Are sentences handed down to youngsters too lenient?
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