We're not excusing criminal offending. But we were all kids once. Not everyone who makes a stupid mistake grows up to be a serial offender.
I stole a tomato when I was about 5. My father had the foresight and connections to take me to the police station where I received a stern talking to from a big man in a blue uniform. He also showed me the cells. It left a big impression.
Police say many youths who commit offences are dealt with through referral to Youth Aid as an alternative to formal court proceedings.
This is to be applauded. Nobody deserves a criminal record before they've hit puberty.
Measures can include a home visit from a police Youth Aid officer, written or face-to-face apologies, reparation and projects. Agreements on education may be developed, and curfews can be agreed with parents.
This may seem like a slap with a wet bus ticket but it is arguably more productive than criminalising children.
Of course, Youth Court remains an option for the real bad eggs. Repeat and serious offending is likely to be dealt with far more harshly.
But everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt at least once in their lives.
Youth Aid works.
