Plan B Forum

An 11-year-old boy is believed to have been single-handedly responsible for a fifth of all crimes in a town.

The boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, committed so many offences that police recorded a 40 per cent rise in crime one month on the previous year. He is thought to have been responsible for 10 of the 50 crimes reported in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, in November, including criminal damage and arson. He has received a conditional discharge for seven offences and is due to appear in court to answer charges on the other three. The boy is thought to have a troubled home life including a difficult relationship with his stepfather, with whom his mother also has a child and who recently returned to his native country.


The boy was recently expelled from his primary school, although the head teacher has offered him support. Karen Mercer, who owns a coffee and health food shop, said that she knew the boy and was very concerned for him. “As a community, we have the responsibility to help and to guide him, rather than to alienate and demonise him. He is a bright young boy, he doesn’t have to go down this road and if only one good thing comes from seeing this story in the papers, I hope he is given that help and guidance to be the best that he can be.” Another woman, who did not want to be named, said: “He is nothing but trouble. He’s been a very naughty boy ever since he was little. “He abuses us every time he sees us.”

Some neighbours have installed CCTV cameras on their properties solely because of the 11-year-old, she added.