Nacro are calling for young children who commit crime to be dealt with outside of the criminal justice system.

It comes after two brothers aged 10 and 11 were last week given an indeterminate sentence for attacking two other young boys in Edlington, South Yorkshire.

Nacro’s Youth Crime Policy Officer, Tim Bateman says: “Dragging children through a justice system designed for adults is inappropriate and can be harmful. There are lots of less intimidating mechanisms available that are more appropriate for children.

“Many have been psychologically damaged and have an undeveloped understanding of the consequences of their actions.

“In most other European countries the Edlington boys would have been detained, for their own safety as well as others, but would not have been through the criminal justice system. The age of criminal responsibility in England is among the lowest in Europe.

“It is not unusual for children who end up in the criminal justice system to have traumatic and chaotic lives. A quarter of those in custody have suffered violence in the home, sexual abuse or emotional abuse through parental neglect and 85% have signs of personality disorder.

“There needs to be a an effective approach for dealing with the welfare needs of young people, which are almost always at the root of serious and persistent youth offending.”