§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of arson were carried out by people under the age of 18 years, in each of Wales' police authorities, in the last five years. [31364]
§ Mr. MichaelIt is impossible to answer the question as asked because the age of the arsonist will be known only where there has been a detection. Available information on the number of persons aged under 18 years who have been cautioned, prosecuted and convicted for arson offences is given in the tables.
Table A: Number of cautions for arson given to children under 18 years of age in Wales by police force area 1992–1996 Offence/Police force area 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 Arson endangering life1 North Wales — — — 1 — Gwent 3 1 9 1 2 South Wales — — 1 — 1 Dyfed-Powys — — — — — Wales 3 1 10 2 3 Arson not endangering life2 North Wales 10 16 12 23 10 Gwent 3 10 9 11 23 South Wales 29 61 43 30 50 Dyfed-Powys 9 3 13 10 7 Wales 51 90 77 74 90 1 Offences under the Criminal Damage Act, 1971 Sec. 1(2). 2 Offences under the Criminal Damage Act, 1971 Sec. 1(1).