Age of criminal responsibility must be raised, say experts
In England and Wales, children as young as 10 can be convicted of a crime – the lowest minimum age of any EU state
Hundreds of primary school-aged children are being needlessly criminalised because of the “ridiculously young” age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales, according to experts who are calling for it to be increased.
Representatives from youth services, the justice system and politicians are urging the government to raise the minimum age a child can be convicted of a crime by at least two years from 10 to 12, in response to the Guardian’s investigation into youth courts.