The New Nation - Internet Edition

MORE and more British children are being 'unjustly criminalised by a punitive justice system' as public perception hardens against them, AFP reported from London recently. A joint report from the Children's Commissioners in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland warned that children are being denied basic rights while increasing numbers of youngsters are suffering mental health problems as they 'resort to alcohol and drugs'. According to experts, though crime committed by children fell between 2002 and 2006, the numbers prosecuted had risen by just over a quarter. The system does not sufficiently distinguish between adult offenders and children who break the law, the report says adding 'Too many children are being criminalised and brought into the youth justice system at an increasing young age.'

Compared to other countries in Europe, England has a very low age of criminal responsibility and large numbers of children are locked up. The study also indicates that there are now one million children under 16 who are obese in the United Kingdom, most of them from poor families who cannot afford a healthy diet and do not have access to parks or leisure centres. It criticised measures such as Anti-Social Behaviour Orders which 'name and shame' young offenders, and slammed as 'discriminatory' the use of devices such as the Mosquito, a gadget which emits a high-pitched noise audible only to people under 25. The British children affairs minister has said that the government has taken the issues seriously with a view to helping families and communities to give their children 'a happy childhood.' A recently carried out research shows that young people are more likely to have been victimised. Britain is struggling to get to grips with a surge of fatal knife attacks, which analysts say, reflects a growing sense of insecurity on the country's streets.