Young People (Violent Offences)

HC Deb 20 March 1986 vol 94 cc406-7

12. Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young people aged under 21 years were cautioned for, and found guilty of, violent offences in 1979 and 1984, respectively.

Mr. Mellor

Some 24,533 in 1979 and 26,891 in 1984.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

If an adult under the age of 21 breaks into the home of an elderly couple and mercilessly and savagely beats them up, leading to hospitalisation, should the charge that is brought before the court be one of actual or grievous bodily harm, and should that person be allowed out on bail? Does the Minister wish to express a view on these matters?

Mr. Mellor

I should have to suppress any view, although I may well have a view, on the basis that the question of what charge is preferred is a matter for the independent prosecution authorities and that the decision as to bail is a matter for the courts. One of the purposes behind the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 is to grade offences according to the severity of the violence caused. One hopes that the charge matches the severity of the violence caused.

Mr. Favell

Should not the names of all young persons over the age of 14 who commit these appalling crimes of violence be published? Do they not deserve the derision of their neighbours?

Mr. Mellor

The general rule has always been that the names of young persons should not be so published, but I have of course taken note of my hon. Friend's point.

Mr. Corbett

Will the Minister concentrate on the real problem, which is that since his Government came to power violent crime has increased by 40 per cent., while the clear-up rate has gone down by 5 per cent.? What does to do about dealing with violent crime to prevent more and more of our people—one person every nine seconds—becoming the victims of crime?

Mr. Mellor

The hon. Gentleman well knows that the rise in violent crime was just as steep—indeed, steeper—under the last Labour Government. What we have done is to strengthen the police so that more crimes are being cleared up, and to give the courts enhanced powers to deal with violent offenders. That is the appropriate way to go forward.