New figures have revealed that a one-year-old girl has been recorded as a crime suspect by Kent Police after she inflicted a 'minor injury' on another child. The data, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, shows that 683 people aged nine or below were named by police in the county between January 2023 and December 2025.
Youngest Suspects
The youngest suspect was a one-year-old girl, reported after an incident involving another child. The data also included six two-year-olds, 11 three-year-olds, and 20 four-year-olds. Offences ranged from burglary and arson to sexual offending.
Response from Authorities
Kent County Council's cabinet member for children's services, Councillor Paul Webb, admitted the findings are 'not great' but emphasised the council's prevention programme. 'We support children of all ages through our prevention programme. We try to get them as early as possible, really help them through our services and talk with parents,' he said. Mr Webb suggested the one-year-old's case was likely accidental behaviour involving another toddler.
Chief Superintendent Rob Marsh, head of Kent Police's Strategic Prevention Command, explained that reports of crimes by children come from various sources, including victims, family members, schools, and other agencies. He stated that the force's Child Centred Policing Teams focus on 'prevention, deterrence and education' while the Violence Reduction Unit works on targeted initiatives to divert young people from criminality.
Statistical Breakdown
Of the 683 children reported, 76% were boys. Violence against another person accounted for the highest number of reports, followed by arson, criminal damage, burglary, and minor public order incidents. A total of 130 sexual offences involving children under nine were reported. Due to the age of criminal responsibility being 10 in England and Wales, none of the children faced prosecution or court proceedings.
Child-on-Child Sexual Abuse
Child-on-child sexual abuse is recognised nationally as a safeguarding issue that schools and councils must monitor closely. Department for Education guidance states that allegations involving rape, assault by penetration, or sexual assault should still be referred to police even if the alleged perpetrator is under 10, with a welfare approach taken rather than a criminal justice one.
Police Procedures
Kent Police confirmed that all incidents reported must be logged under Home Office rules, even if the child is below the age of criminal responsibility or no further action is considered appropriate. Interventions may include speaking with parents, issuing Local Child Curfews, Community Resolutions, or Youth Conditional Cautions. Chief Supt Marsh noted that out-of-court resolutions often involve educational workbooks to ensure children understand the impact of their offending.
County Lines Gangs
Mr Webb attributed much of the crime levels in children to county lines gangs, which target vulnerable youngsters, particularly those in care. 'This is a big problem we've seen not just in Kent, but across the south-east in particular,' he said. 'It's something we work very, very closely on with social services, with the police, and all of our children's homes.'
The age of criminal responsibility is currently 10 in England and Wales and 12 in Scotland, though the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has recommended countries set it at 14 or above.
