Summary on an Article on Age and Crime

Summary on an Article on Age and Crime

The rate of crime committed by underage offenders in Australia is still high. More than 400 crimes related to sex that occurred last year in Victoria alone are linkable to children criminals. An additional 100 young suspects were charged with participating in drug trafficking. While the average rate of juvenile crime is on a freefall, doubts linger regarding the government’s effort to address the new cases.

Fairfax media statistics indicate that more than 100 police incidences in 2015 involved 10-year-old offenders. On the other hand, Crime Statistics Agency indicates a significant drop from more than 18,800 youth-offender incidences in the previous year as compared to approximately 25,400 in 2010. Notably, the rate of child offences fell by 3.5% (Bucci 1).

What is even more alarming is that children join gangs in Victoria to commit a wave of criminal offences including armed robbery, assaults, drug offences, and damage to property. Such youths are becoming a menace to the society. The residents are increasingly becoming fearful as the rate of gang crimes are on the rise. While the police say that 80 % of children criminals that received caution are yet to re-offend, Victorian residents argue that the statement is a complete fabrication of the truth on the ground. 16-year-olds are even becoming more notorious criminals in the area, especially in crimes related to theft, property damage and assault.

Youth Support Services head argues that preventive strategies should be employed in the region to address the root cause of a spike in child offences. He noted that children tagged with a criminal record early in life are likely to encounter problems in later years as adults. Therefore, there is a need to admit them to corrective and reform facilities.

                                                                                                       

                                           

Works Cited

Bucci, Nino. "Victorian Youths Commit Serious Crimes Despite Rate Of Juvenile Offending Falling. Read More: Http://Www.Theage.Com.Au/Victoria/Victorian-Youths-Commit-Serious-Crimes-Despite-Rate-Of-Juvenile-Offending-Falling-20150403-1Mec63. The Age Victoria 2016: 1. Web. 14 Feb. 2016.