A new investigation has revealed that 60% of youth crime in South West Wales involves violence.
Figures obtained by Legal Expert via Freedom of Information Requests show a “shocking and concerning” level of increased violent crime among children and teenagers in the Dyfed-Powys policing district.
The force, which covers the areas of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys, recorded 15,00 criminal offences involving under 18 victims in the last three years.
A further 11,000 crimes were logged as having suspects who were between the ages of 0-17.
Of those, violent crimes made up 68% of all offences with a victim under 18 and 53% of all offences with a suspect under 18.
Legal Expert Solicitor Jane Davies said: “The rise in crime, especially violent crime involving young people is shocking and concerning.
“Whether they are victims or suspects, more must be done to combat further increases and to prevent any more tragedies from happening.”
There were more under 18 victims of crime than there were suspects but for both categories, violent crimes were by far the leading offence involving young people in the district.
Police figures show that in the last year, ‘Violence Against The Person’ was by far the most common offence involving young people in West and South West Wales.
Between April 2023-April 2024, the force recorded 3,424 such crimes involving victims who were under 18 as well as 1,818 with suspects under 18.
‘Violence Against The Person’ is a broad term police use to record a range of offences that can include minor crimes such as harassment and common assault, to serious offences such as battery, murder and wounding (or grievous bodily harm).
Worryingly, Dyfed-Powys Police data also reveals that the second most common offence involving under 18s as either suspects or victims were sexual offences, of which there were 707 with under 18 victims and 219 with suspects between 0-17.
Public Order Offences were the third most common involving children and teens in the district. These can include acts of violent disorder, public nuisance and threatening behaviour.
Arson and Criminal Damage, Theft, Drug Offences and Possession of Weapons were also among the top offences involving under 18s in the Dyfed-Powys policing area in the last year.
Legal Expert also obtained figures from the Youth Justice Board which reveals that the number of cautions and sentences given to children and teens in South West Wales has fluctuated in the last three years, but 43% pertained to violent offences.
In 2020/21, there were 156 cautions or convictions given to Under 18s, decreasing to 152 the following year and rising again to 191 in 2022/23.
Of those, 217(46%) related to violent crimes including Violence Against The Person, Robbery or Sexual Offences.
Across England and Wales, the number of arrests of children for notifiable offences increased by 9% in 2022/23.
It is the second year in a row of an increase, according to the latest figures from the Youth Justice Statistics.
Data also shows that in the last 10 years, ‘Violence Against The Person’ saw the biggest increase out of all other crimes involving under 18s, rising by 12.4% since 2013 across England and Wales.
Knife crime and violence has also increased across England and Wales over the past decade notably in London where the Metropolitan Police Service saw a 21% increase in knife or sharp instrument incidents between 2022 and 2023.
A landmark report by government advisers last year revealed that half of all teenagers witnessed or were victims of violence in England and Wales in 2022/23.
The survey, conducted by the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) was the largest of its kind looking into what drives knife crime, bullying and gang rivalries and found “shocking and unacceptable” levels of youth violence.
It also confirmed the link between poverty and youth violence, reporting that a third of teenagers in families who rely on food banks were found to be victims of violence.
In 2022/23, the rate of child poverty stood at an alarming 33%, according to figures by The Health Foundation.
Access to youth support and mental health services has also been linked to increased criminal involvement in children and teenagers.
Legal Expert Solicitor Jane Davies added: “Young people who commit crimes can see their lives change forever once they enter the criminal justice system and moreover for victims of violence and their families, it can take a lifetime to rebuild and heal.
“Both circumstances are avoidable but until the powers that be make real change, we are here to ensure that justice is carried out and victims are supported legally so that they can rebuild their lives.”
LegalExpert.co.uk has a team of experienced solicitors at hand for anyone who has suffered as a result of a crime. They operate a 24-hour helpline and live chat service which you can access on their website.