Youth crime | The Crown Prosecution Service

Incorrect story in The Times on age of criminal responsibility

Today the Times is running an incorrect story which falsely claims that in a recent podcast interview, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Max Hill QC, called for the age of criminal responsibility to be raised.

59-year-old man stabbed and beaten by teenagers

Kieran Clarke, 18, has been sentenced today at Winchester Crown Court. Clarke was sentenced to three years' detention in a Young Offender Institution for stabbing a 59-year-old man.

Two killers who fist-bumped to celebrate fatally stabbing a teenager jailed

Two killers who fist bumped to celebrate fatally stabbing a teenager who was on his way to the shops to buy some milk have been jailed.

CPS Response to the HMCPSI Inspection Report in Relation to Serious Youth Crime

HMCPSI have today [5 March 2020] published a report into the work of the CPS in relation to Serious Youth Crime.

Youth gang members receive life sentences after vicious attack on rival

Four young men, three of them teenagers, received life sentences today (21 May 2109) after a Snapchat video and a conversation between offenders in the back of a police van helped secure their conviction for the murder of a 16-year-old boy.

Emerging Areas of Child Abuse and Exploitation

Speech by Max Hill QC, Director of Public Prosecutions, to the Heads of Prosecuting Agencies Conference in Uganda, 15-17 April 2019

Youth crime

The criminal justice system treats children and young people differently from adults and significant weight must be attached to the age of the suspect if they are a child or young person under 18.

Age of criminality

The age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales is 10 years old. This means that children under 10 can’t be arrested or charged with a crime. There are other punishments that can be given to children under 10 who break the law.

Children between 10 and 17 can be arrested and taken to court if they commit a crime.

Conditional Cautioning: Youths – DPP Guidance

Issued to Police Officers and Crown Prosecutors under S37A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984

Youth Offenders

The CPS is committed to ensuring that the special considerations which apply to cases involving a young offender are enshrined in its working practices and form part of the training of its prosecutors.

Computer Misuse Act

This guidance is designed to assist prosecutors considering cases involving offences or attacks against computer systems such as hacking or denial of service (DOS) attacks. The Computer Misuse Act (CMA) has been updated a number of times in line with changes in technology and criminal activity and to give the court increased sentencing powers.

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Age of criminality