Writing in The Mirror Camilla Batmanghelidjh, of Kids Company says:
Crime committed by girls aged 10 to 17 has apparently soared by 25 per cent in the past three years.
According to Home Office statistics to be released this week, offences by females in this age group climbed from 47,000 to 59,000 between 2003/04 and 2006/07.
She argues that the availability of illegal drugs and alcohol in the lives of damaged children and young people is a considerable problem.
The availability of alcohol and drugs is also an issue. The majority of people can have a drink, have a giggle and thoroughly enjoy themselves.
But with already-damaged youngsters, alcohol and drugs bring out whatever suppressed material is there. Where we’re going wrong in society is we don’t do enough prevention; we don’t intervene anywhere nearly quickly enough to protect children who are being violated.
And she says that by continuing to develop policy which emphasises protecting communities from these young people rather than protecting the children themselves we continue the cycle of damage.
Children and Young People Now also pick up this story, but they also note:
Meanwhile, offences committed by boys fell from 240,000 to 236,000.
Filed under: alcohol, drug prevention, illegal drugs , Kids Company
