New data shows that one in six people arrested during the UK riots were children
One in six people arrested across the country in connection with the unrest following the Southport stabbings were children. Riots started in Southport and Liverpool before spreading around the country following the deaths of three girls – Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven – at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on July 29.
Police forces and the court system were quick to arrest and charge many of those involved in the unrest. An investigation by RADAR has collated the number of arrests by police force, alongside their ages and the offences committed. Responses to freedom of information requests show there were 1,233 arrests across the 32 police forces that provided data, 219 of them relating to children under 18.
Thirteen police forces did not supply figures. Among those to provide information on why people were arrested, public order offences were by far the most common reason for arrest, with more than 700 cases. However, there were also 69 offences of assault, 45 of theft and burglary (including four shoplifting offences), 38 for possession of weapons, 32 drug offences and 19 for malicious communications.
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Merseyside Police has made 162 arrests with 87 people sentenced. The force has arrested at least 35 children as part of their investigations into the riots. The ECHO has covered the cases of children who have appeared before the city’s youth court, including a 12-year-old boy who threw stones at police officers while a mob shouted racist abuse.
The ECHO understands the boy was the youngest rioter in the UK. The ECHO also covered the cases of other children, including one who shot fireworks towards the public and told police “I’m sorry, I wasn’t firing them at you.”
Separate figures collated by the National Police Chiefs’ Council found 1,711 arrests have been made since the end of July. A spokesperson for the organisation said arrests and charging decisions “are likely to continue for some time”. The spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, we did see a number of young people take part in these incidents.”
They said it was important to avoid the unnecessary criminalisation of children and young people, but added police need to “respond appropriately” to protect communities. They added: “This can include the arrest and charge in the case of violent disorder and other serious offences.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The senseless violence on our streets following the tragic loss of Bebe, Elsie and Alice was shocking. We are grateful to all the officers who continue to work hard to keep our communities safe.”