Children accused of sex assaults at just five years old

 Children as young as five have been suspected of sex assaults, among other crimes, it has emerged.

Between 2012 and 2017, children under 10 have been accused of more than 20,000 crimes across England and Wales

Among the offences include children as young as five suspected of sexual assault and a six-year-old accused of rape. Other crimes investigated include threats to kill, arson, possession of firearms with intent and racially aggravated common assault. Data released by 30 of the 43 police forces, after a Freedom of Information request, show the number of crimes by children under 10 has risen from 1,917 offences in 2012, to 4,209 in 2016. So far in 2017, police have identified 3,631 young suspects.

Children under 10 cannot be legally charged with committing a criminal offence, but they can be given a curfew, a child safety order or be taken into care by social services.