There was a 95-year age gap between the youngest person dealt with by police and the oldest in the past year.
A three-year-old toddler apprehended for wilful damage was the youngest New Zealander, while a 98-year-old shoplifter was the oldest, records obtained by The Press under the Official Information Act show.
Two four year olds were also apprehended by police in 2009-2010, one for arson and the other for threatening to kill.
Apprehension is defined by police as resolving a crime by identifying a person responsible and dealing with the person appropriately.
No-one under the age of 10 can be convicted of an offence because they are deemed too young to have criminal intentions, under the Crimes Act 1961.
There were 671 apprehensions for those aged nine or under in the past year.
- NZPA
Three-year-old youngest offender
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.