One in six burglary suspects is under 18

ONE in six burglary suspects is under 18, research reveals.

More than 17,000 children were arrested on suspicion of burglary between 2014 and the first half of 2017, and under-18s accounted for 12 per cent of all arrests for aggravated burglary in England and Wales.

From 2014 to the end of 2016, 4,250 children were prosecuted for domestic and aggravated burglary, with a conviction rate of 68 per cent.

Martin Scott, head of Churchill Home Insurance, which compiled the statistics, said: ‘As a society we urgently need to address the level of crime committed by those under 18.

‘Young people may not understand the trauma they are inflicting on people when they burglarise their property. There is not just a financial cost, it has a terrible and sustained emotional impact.’

Mr Scott added: ‘It is vital that if minors do commit crime there are appropriate interventions in place to help ensure that these patterns of behaviour are not repeated.’

Suspects can be charged with aggravated burglary if they are carrying a weapon at the time.