PA
Around 3000 'criminals' - some just toddlers of THREE - are avoiding punishment for their wrongdoings because of their age.
Police figures show that thousands of youngsters - whose crimes include rape, burglary and robbery - are avoiding criminal proceedings because they are simply too young to be prosecuted.
Data obtained under a Freedom of Information request shows that 1,605 crimes were blamed on a child under ten in the last financial year - the total of 3,000 comes from adding likely figures from the country's 22 other forces, including the Met, where a sixth of all offences take place.
Crimes committed include eight-year-olds suspected of sexual assaults in Manchester, two eight-year-olds suspected of rape in Fife, a sexual attack, vandalism and assault from five six-year-old boys in Avon and Somerset, and a four-year-old responsible for acts of vandalism in Essex.
Children under ten are currently not considered 'responsible' for their actions.
Do these figures shock you?
Do you think under-tens SHOULD be held responsible when they break the law?