The proposition is that in England and Wales the age of criminal responsilility be raised to bring us in line with other European counties - although the Nordic countries, for example, all set the age at fifteen years


This does NOT mean absolving children from what would be a crime if committed by an adult.

At the present an offence committed by a child under the age of criminal responsibility is dealt with under civil child care proceedings, designed for children that need compulsory measures of care, rather than a criminal court either juvenile or adult

Last March ministers confirmed the age of criminal responsibility in Scotland was to be raised to 12 to bring Scotland into line with most of Europe
The Scottish Government said the rise would not mean "letting off" younger offenders.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said it was more appropriate to deal with them in the children's hearings system.