Child Drug Crime Up 34% In Stoke Over Five Years
Two children aged just 11 offended last year, as child drug crime has risen in Stoke over the last five years, from 47 crimes in 2015 to 63 in 2019.
Children aged 11- 17 are committing an increasing number of drug crimes in Stoke on Trent, according to figures from Staffordshire Police.
Figures have risen year on year since 2015, from 47 offences to 63 offences in 2019, with 258 offences over five years. Several of these crimes had multiple offenders, with 267 children responsible.
Both 2015 and 2016 saw 51 offenders, while there were 54 in 2018 and 64 in 2019.
In 2019, two children were aged just 11 at the time of the offence. There was also one 13-year-old and three 14-year-olds. 10 children of 15, 18 children of 16 and 30 children of 17 also offended.
Over the five year period, 13 children aged 11, 12 or 13 were caught committing drug crimes.
In 258 offences, there were 46 charges, alongside various cautions and community resolutions.
The Student View, a media literacy charity, uncovered the data following a Freedom of Information request.