Until the 19th century, children from the age of seven could be convicted of criminal offences in Britain and were often given the same punishments as adults. The age of criminal responsibility has been raised to 10. That means children younger than that cannot be arrested or charged with a crime. If they commit a criminal offence, they can be banned from being in a public place between 9pm and 6am, unless they are with an adult. If they don't follow that order, they can be placed under supervision or even taken into care. Children between the ages of 10 and 17 are dealt with by youth... Show more

Until the 19th century, children from the age of seven could be convicted of criminal offences in Britain and were often given the same punishments as adults. The age of criminal responsibility has been raised to 10. That means children younger than that cannot be arrested or charged with a crime. If they commit a criminal offence, they can be banned from being in a public place between 9pm and 6am, unless they are with an adult. If they don't follow that order, they can be placed under supervision or even taken into care.

Children between the ages of 10 and 17 are dealt with by youth courts. They are given different sentences to adults. Instead of prison, they are sent to secure centres for young people rather than being placed in an adult prison. At the age of 18, you are treated as an adult by the law. If an 18-year old is sentenced to prison, they will be sent to a secure place for 18 - 25 year-olds instead of going to a full adult prison.

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