Serious sexual offences when the perpetrator was aged under 18 from January 2012 – June 2022

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.025916

I note you seek access to the following information:

1. How many sex crimes where the perpetrator was under 18 at the time of the incident were reported each year from 2012 until most recent records?
2. How many arrests were made for serious sexual offences suspected to be committed by children under the age of 18 each year, broken down into years from 2012 - 2022?
3. How many serious sexual offences were committed by youths under 16 in same time frame?
4. How many youths under 18 were arrested under suspicion of rape from 2012-2022?
5. What was the youngest perpetrator arrest for serious sexual assault?
6. How many offences from the above criteria ended up in a conviction?
7. How many of those found guilty, how many ended up with a custodial sentence?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

These searches successfully located the information relevant to your request. I have attached two excel spreadsheets with the answers to your questions.
The spreadsheet titled 01.FOI.22.025916-att1 answers questions 1 and 3. The spreadsheet titled 01.FOI.22.025916-att2 answers question 2, 4 and 5.

Please note there are three separate tabs within the spreadsheet, titled cover sheet, notes and table. The notes page should be read in conjunction with the data to ensure the report is interpreted correctly.

Please note, in relation to questions 6 and 7, the MPS does not hold convictions data. Convictions data is held by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). CPS have their own publication scheme and you have the opportunity to submit a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to them directly.

DATASET CAVEAT
In supplying the attached data there are caveats that you will need to note.
The offence is not an indication of the outcome. For example, some offences may have resulted in "No Further Action". With regards to question 5, children of 9 and 10 years of age are displayed. 9 year olds would have received “No Further Action” and be removed from Custody once the age had been established. This would then mean that the 10 year olds were the “youngest perpetrator”.