ALMOST 3,000 cautions have been issued in five years to young offenders for crimes as serious as rape, arson and assault, The Argus can reveal.

In 2015, an 11-year-old received a caution for raping a child aged under 13, but was not prosecuted.

The figures, which cover the period from January 2012 to December 2016, show that 2,850 crimes committed by youngsters aged between ten and 17 were dealt with by way of a caution.

That includes 163 cautions issued to children under 13.

As might be expected, some of the highest figures are for older teens cautioned for possession of cannabis, with 385 cautions issued in total.

But the highest figures are for assault with injury (501) and shoplifting (464).

the most shocking crimes include sexual assaults by youngsters on other children, and arson which endangered life, for which two cautions were issued to 16-year-olds last year.

The caution figures have fallen over the last two years, to 532 in 2016, after peaking at 844 in 2014.

Detective Superintendent Jason Tingley said: “We take all offending behaviour by youths very seriously. Out of court disposals such as cautions aim to deal with offenders outside the court system in appropriate circumstances.

“The factors affecting the disposal and outcome of a particular case are determined by a range of variable facts and circumstances, influenced by legislation and national guidance.

“Cautions for the most serious offences are used in exceptional circumstances and the response to each case is dependent on a range of factors. It is also important to recognise that a caution is a legitimate criminal justice outcome, with real sanctions attached.”

A child under ten years old cannot be cautioned or prosecuted as they are considered too young to be able to distinguish between right and wrong. Those between ten and 17 are dealt with by youth courts where sentencing powers are limited.

IN NUMBERS

Between 2012 and 2016, 2,850 cautions were issued to teenage offenders.

By age group these were:

10-year-olds: 12 cautions

11-year-olds: 38 cautions

12-year-olds: 113 cautions

13-year-olds: 266 cautions

14-year-olds: 473 cautions

15-year-olds: 654 cautions

16-year-olds: 646 cautions

17-year-olds: 623 cautions