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.ย
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,ย 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.ย
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 โshocking and unacceptableโ 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.ย
If it is the case that youth violence and crime is on the rise, then serious efforts must be made to prevent further tragedies.ย
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.ย
Of course, none of this negates those victims of violent crimes.ย
Legal Expert Solicitor Jane Davies said: “The rise in crime, especially violent crime involving young people is shocking and concerning.ย
“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.ย
“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
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
Cambridgeshire Police
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
Cautions and Convictions of under 18s in Cambridgeshire
Cleveland Police
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
Cautions and Sentences for under 18s in Cleveland Policing Area
Derbyshire Police
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
Sussex Police
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