Boy aged 9 drunk behind the wheel

May 15 2011 by Tom Mullen, Sunday Sun

A BOY of NINE is among hundreds of North children arrested for a host of shocking car crimes, the Sunday Sun can reveal.

The nine-year-old, too young to be prosecuted for a criminal offence, was arrested in Cumbria for drink driving.

He was breathalysed and taken into police custody before stunned officers discovered his age – which means he is too young to be held accountable for his actions.

And he is just one of more than 2,000 juveniles arrested for crimes including car theft, aggravated vehicle taking, drink driving and underage driving in the region over the last two years.

Across Tyne and Wear a 10-year-old, four 11-year-olds, 11 12-year-olds and 33 13-year-olds were arrested for car theft over that time.

Durham Police arrested a 12-year-old and four 13-year-olds for aggravated vehicle taking, among dozens of other teenagers aged 18 and under.

A further 619 youngsters were hauled into police custody in Cleveland and North Yorkshire, data released under the Freedom of Information Act reveals.

Cleveland Police revealed a 14-year-old girl had been arrested for car theft, among their total of 502 juvenile car crime arrests since 2009. Cumbria Constabulary made 248 arrests, including 11 14-year-olds accused of car theft.

Our figures stunned safety campaigners and led to calls for better teaching of road safety awareness.

Kath Hartley, from the Brake charity, which campaigns for lower speed limits and other aspects of road safety, said: “It’s incredibly concerning that young people, many of whom will have had no formal driving tuition, are risking their own and other’s lives on our roads.

“This must be addressed as a matter of urgency. It is a clear example of why we need road safety education as part of the National Curriculum.

“Young people must be taught the dangers of getting behind the wheel without proper training.”