What is the age of criminal responsibility UK?

The age of criminal responsibility is the age at which a child can be charged with a crime. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland it is 10, one of the lowest in Europe. In Scotland it is 12. Below these ages, children cannot be prosecuted, although other interventions can be used.

In England and Wales the age was set at 8 in 1933 and raised to 10 in 1963. Northern Ireland also sets it at 10. Scotland raised its age from 8 to 12 under the Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019. Children who commit offences below the age can still be dealt with by social services or the family courts.

Children aged 10 to 17 who are charged usually go to youth courts, which are less formal and focus on rehabilitation. Very serious cases, such as murder, can be heard in the Crown Court. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child recommends a minimum age of at least 14. Many European countries set it at 14 or higher, such as Germany, Italy and Spain.

Campaigners argue that 10 year olds are not mature enough to understand the consequences of their actions. They say care works better than criminalisation. Others argue that a low age allows serious offences to be dealt with properly and protects victims. The debate often returns after high-profile cases involving young children. Victims' groups often stress the impact of serious crimes.