Our Research Into Youth Crimes In The UK

All too frequently tragedies involving children and teenagers who are either victims or perpetrators of violent crimes make headlines across the UK. 

In the last month alone, news stories have included a teenager charged with murder after three people were found dead in a flat in Luton, a 14-year-old boy charged with the murder of an elderly man from Leicestershire and three teens that were injured after being shot in Orpington in south-east London.

It is then, perhaps no wonder that assumptions are often made about violent crime among children and teens in Britain.

Across England and Wales,  the number of arrests of children for notifiable offences increased by 9% in 2022/23.

It is the second year in a row of an increase, according to the latest figures from the Youth Justice Statistics. 

Knife crime and violence has also increased across England and Wales over the past decade notably in London where the Metropolitan Police Service saw a 21% increase in knife or sharp instrument incidents between 2022 and 2023.

A landmark report by government advisers last year revealed that half of all teenagers witnessed or were victims of violence in England and Wales in 2022/23.

The survey, conducted by the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) was the largest of its kind looking into what drives knife crime, bullying and gang rivalries and found “shocking and unacceptable” levels of youth violence.

It also confirmed the link between poverty and youth violence, reporting that a third of teenagers in families who rely on food banks were found to be victims of violence.

Access to youth support and mental health services have also been linked to increased criminal involvement in children and teenagers.

Researchers have also made connections between social media use and increased violence in video games, but these tend to be more tenuous and less substantive. 

If it is the case that youth violence and crime is on the rise, then serious efforts must be made to prevent further tragedies. 

This could include; the provision of extra resources to improve education, increasing diversionary measures such as youth clubs, or a sharper focus on reducing child poverty. 

Of course, none of this negates those victims of violent crimes. 

Legal Expert Solicitor Jane Davies said: “The rise in crime, especially violent crime involving young people is shocking and concerning. 

“Whether they are victims or suspects, more must be done to combat further increases and to prevent any more tragedies from happening.

“Young people who commit crimes can see their lives change forever once they enter the criminal justice system and moreover for victims of violence and their families, it can take a lifetime to rebuild and heal. 

“Both circumstances are avoidable but until the powers that be make real change, we are here to ensure that justice is carried out and victims are supported legally so that they can rebuild their lives”

To gain a true understanding of the current levels of crime and violent crime among children and teenagers across England and Wales, Legal Expert set out to investigate.

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How We Conducted Our Research Into Youth Crimes

We sent out Freedom of Information Requests to the 44 police forces in England and Wales asking for the number of crimes involving individuals under the age of 18, either as suspects or victims in the last three years.

We also asked how many of those were violent offences.

Our investigation also sought out the most common criminal offences involving children and teenagers as either victims or suspects in the last year alone.

Legal Expert also sent a Freedom of Information Request to the Youth Justice Board asking for the number of children (under 18) who had received a caution or sentence in the last three years and how many of those pertained to violent crimes.

National data was analysed and collated from the latest Youth Justice Statistics report.

See the results for your local police force below.

Statistics On Youth Crimes In The UK

Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire Police – Youth Crime Statistics

No. of offences involving victims who are under 18

2021/22 | 4,357

2022/23 | 4,627

2023/24 | 5,385

Total: 14,369

No. of offences involving suspects who are under 18

2021/22 | 3,636

2022/23 | 3,536

2023/24 | 3,509

Total: 10,681

Crimes involving under 18s in Bedfordshire by offence type

Youth Crime Offences – Bedfordshire Police

Cambridgeshire Police

Cambridgeshire Youth Crime

No. of offences involving victims under 18s

2021/22 | 4,662

2022/23 | 5,225

2023/24 | 4,811

Total: 14,698

No. of offences involving suspects who are under 18

2021/22 | 3,544

2022/23 | 3,853

2023/24 | 3,538

Total: 10,935

Crimes involving under 18s in Cambridgeshire by offence type

Youth Crime By Offence Type Cambridgeshire

Cautions and Convictions of under 18s in Cambridgeshire

Cautions and Sentences of Under 18s Cambridgeshire

Cleveland Police

Cleveland Police Youth Crime

No. of offences involving under 18s

2021/22 | 10,775

2022/23 | 12,618

2023/24 | 10,842

Total: 34,235

No. of [violent] offences involving under 18s

2021/22 | 7,259

2022/23 | 8,310

2023/24 | 7,242

Total: 22,811

Crimes involving under 18s in Cleveland Policing Area by offence type

Youth Crime By Offence Type Cleveland

Cautions and Sentences for under 18s in Cleveland Policing Area

Cleveland Police Youth Crime Cautions and Sentences

Derbyshire Police

Derbyshire Police – Youth Crime Statistics

No. of offences involving victims who are under 18

2021/22 | 7,370

2022/23 | 7,765

2023/24 |7,692

Total: 19,499

No. of offences involving suspects who are under 18

2021/22 | 4,998

2022/23 | 5,253

2023/24 | 5,305

Total: 12,157

Crimes involving under 18s in Derbyshire by offence type

Youth Crime Statistics Derbyshire By Crime Group

Sussex Police

Sussex Police – Youth Crime Statistics

No. of offences involving victims who are under 18

2021/22 | 10,582

2022/23 | 11,950

2023/24 |12,382

Total: 34,914

No. of offences involving suspects who are under 18

2021/22 | 8,411

2022/23 | 9,961

2023/24 | 10,961

Total: 29,333

Crimes involving under 18s in Sussex by offence type

Youth Crime Statistics Sussex By Crime Group