Kids as young as SEVEN are quizzed over gun-related crime
CHILDREN as young as SEVEN have been interviewed on suspicion of gun-related offences in Greater Manchester.
Shocking new figures also show that the youngest to be quizzed on suspicion of knife crime was aged four.
There were 242 gun crimes in the region over the last two years where at least one suspect was aged under 18, according to data supplied to our sister paper the M.E.N. under a Freedom of Information request.
And over the same period there were 1,015 knife crimes involving child suspects - the youngest were four yearolds.
The youngest questioned for firearms offences were both aged seven, in 2015 and 2016, and in 2017 the youngest was aged ten.
In 2015, two nineyear-olds were interviewed over firearms offences; four children aged ten; six aged 11; nine aged 12; 12 aged 13; 15 who were 14; 11 aged 15; 16 aged 25; and 17 who were aged 24.
In the same year there were two nine-year-olds quizzed over knife crime; four aged ten; 12 aged 11; 22 aged 12; 27 who were 13; 65 aged 14; 76 aged 15; 93 aged 16, and 100 at 17.
In 2014, GMP seized 2013 firearms; 2,279 in 2015; 2,205 in 2016, and by April this year 391.
The force seized 2,196 knives in 2014; 2,101 in 2015; 2034 in 2016, and by April this year 541.
Owning a gun is illegal in England without a licence, while certain firearms altogether.
It is illegal to carry knives or other sharp instruments in public without good reason and to sell a knife to anyone under 18.
The age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales is 10 years old.
This means that children younger than this cannot be arrested or charged with a crime.
Children who are older than this are dealt with by youth courts and, if found guilty of an imprisonable offence, would be sent to secure centre for young people, rather than an adult prison.
Police admit that it is are banned sometimes necessary to quiz children regarding serious matters, such as the possession of a deadly weapon.
However, their primary aim is to keep the child safe and they frequently collaborate with social workers and education staff.
In the recent past, it was not unknown for gang members in Manchester to leave guns with younger relatives and associates for safekeeping.
A GMP spokesman said: “When dealing with a report where a child under the age of criminal responsibility, which is 10 years old, is thought to have committed or has knowledge of a crim- inal offence, this is done through a multi-agency approach.
“We continue to work with those partners as we have communal responsibility to address the cause of offending and safeguard our communities across Greater Manchester.”