CRIMES committed by children are on the rise and the issue is becoming a major concern for police.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Internal Affairs, Professional Standards, Sakeo Ganivatu says the police force is encountering more young suspects, especially with cases related to drugs.
He said teenagers as young as 14 years old were being arrested and the age group of criminals is getting younger.
Speaking at a recent Christian rally in Lautoka, Mr Ganivatu said these young criminals were mainly accused of carrying illicit drugs which was a major concern for the force.
“In a month we used to record an increase of 1 or 2 per cent of illicit drugs but it has gone up to 94 per cent and that was in January this year,” Mr Ganivatu said.
“What we are experiencing now as police officers is we are seeing 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 year olds are now criminals. And if we have to think about it, what will happen in 10 years’ time. Seven-year olds and eight-year olds could be criminals.”
He said more reports were coming in of children doing “frightening things”.
He also said people were no longer afraid to kill.
“We are not allowed to kill other people. That is murder.
“We will go down worse than this now that we have drugs.”
He said two juveniles were found earlier this year with needles.
“A majority of these cases are from the West and Southern Division.”
