Go soft on young criminals, says police chief
A POLICE chief came under fire yesterday for saying officers should go “soft” on young offenders in a bid to steer them from a life of crime.
Kevin Purcell said officers will try to avoid holding child suspects in custody.
He said putting young offenders in police cells is “counter-productive” and it might be better to interview them at their home.
However, the West Mercia police superintendent, admitted the new approach “may seem soft”.
He went on: “Over the last few years a lot of work has been done nationally on the way we have treated children when they are in the criminal justice system.
“This is really important because these children are often vulnerable and being targeted by adults both in terms of committing crimes against them and using them to commit crime.
“We have to consider how we better engage with children who we believe are the victim, and how we treat children who have committed crime whether it be low level or more serious.
Anger
“Often adults push children into crime such as drug supply and prostitution. Nationally and locally, we have been more aware that these children are victims of crime.
“We try to reduce the number of children we arrest into custody.”
Supt Purcell, who oversees the West Mercia and Warwickshire alliance on children and young people, made his comments after a 13-year-old boy was used by a criminal gang to smuggle class A drugs.
He said children in the care system are often reported to the police for bad behaviour that would normally be managed by a parent.
But the new approach to dealing with youth crime was criticised on social media with some people branding the approach “soft justice”.
Writing on Twitter, Joe45 said: “Be kind to young crims? Whatever next? Hug a thug day?”
Gavin Yates added: “Young yobs should fear police not expect special treatment.”
Mum-of-three Julie Browne, 45, from Worcester, said: “I hate this softly, softly approach. No wonder youngsters have no respect for authority.”