Under-10s Crimes in Bromley, Bexley, Lewisham 2026

Key Points

• New data from the Metropolitan Police reveals hundreds of recorded crimes involving children under the age of 10 in south-east London boroughs: Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, and Lewisham.
• The figures cover the period from 2021 to 2024, highlighting a concerning trend in youth involvement in criminal activity at very young ages.
• Specific crime types include theft, criminal damage, and antisocial behaviour, with some cases involving violence.
• Children under 10 cannot be prosecuted in England and Wales due to the age of criminal responsibility being 10; instead, they receive interventions like youth offending team referrals.
• Data sourced from Freedom of Information (FOI) requests by This Is Local London, showing exact numbers: Bexley (87 incidents), Bromley (112), Greenwich (156), Lewisham (201).
• Experts and local authorities express alarm over rising youth crime, linking it to factors like poverty, family breakdown, and lack of early intervention.
• Metropolitan Police emphasise preventative measures, including school-based programmes and family support.
• No arrests or charges possible for under-10s, but records are kept for potential future patterns.
• Campaigners call for lowering the age of criminal responsibility or enhancing social services.
• Similar trends reported across London, with comparisons to national figures.

South-East London (South London News) March 31, 2026 – Shocking new data has exposed hundreds of suspected crimes committed by children under the age of 10 across Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, and Lewisham, raising urgent concerns about the youngest offenders in the capital. The Metropolitan Police figures, obtained via Freedom of Information requests, reveal 556 recorded incidents involving pre-teens from 2021 to 2024, none of whom could face prosecution due to the UK’s age of criminal responsibility threshold. Local authorities and child welfare experts warn that early signs of criminality demand immediate action to prevent escalation.

What Do the Latest Figures Show for Each Borough?

The data, meticulously compiled by This Is Local London through FOI disclosures from the Metropolitan Police, paints a stark picture across the four boroughs.

In Bexley, 87 crimes were recorded involving under-10s, with common offences including shoplifting and criminal damage. As reported by Phoebe Fuller of This Is Local London, the figures span everyday incidents like theft from shops and vandalism, underscoring the borough’s challenges with youth antisocial behaviour.

Bromley recorded the second-highest tally at 112 incidents. According to the same FOI response highlighted by Fuller, these included multiple cases of theft and possession of stolen goods, often linked to opportunistic crimes in residential areas.

Greenwich saw 156 suspected offences, the third highest. The data points to a rise in violent incidents, such as assaults without injury, as noted in the Metropolitan Police’s response to This Is Local London’s request.

Lewisham topped the list with 201 records, including serious antisocial behaviour and criminal damage to property. Phoebe Fuller of This Is Local London quoted the FOI data directly:

“Lewisham recorded 201 crimes involving children under 10 between 2021 and 2024.”

These borough-specific breakdowns, first published by This Is Local London on March 31, 2026, highlight a disproportionate burden on south-east London communities.

Why Can’t Children Under 10 Be Prosecuted in the UK?

Under English and Welsh law, the age of criminal responsibility stands at 10, meaning no child below this age can be arrested, charged, or convicted. As explained in the Metropolitan Police’s FOI response covered by Phoebe Fuller of This Is Local London,

“Children under 10 are below the age of criminal responsibility and therefore cannot be prosecuted.”

Instead, police refer cases to youth offending teams (YOTs) or children’s social services for interventions like family support plans or early help assessments. This approach prioritises welfare over punishment, aligning with UN conventions on child rights, though critics argue it fails to deter repeat offenders.

What Types of Crimes Are Under-10s Suspected Of?

The FOI data details a range of offences, from minor to more disruptive acts. In Bexley, shop theft dominated with 27 cases, per the Metropolitan Police figures reported by This Is Local London.

Bromley’s 112 incidents included 35 thefts and 28 criminal damages, as per Phoebe Fuller’s analysis. Greenwich’s 156 crimes featured 42 assaults and 31 criminal damages, showing a violent edge.

Lewisham’s 201 cases broke down into 56 criminal damages, 41 thefts, and 29 public order offences. Across all boroughs, antisocial behaviour like littering or verbal abuse featured prominently, though not always formally recorded as crimes.

As Phoebe Fuller of This Is Local London noted,

“The data includes everything from shoplifting to criminal damage and even some violent offences,”

emphasising the diversity of issues.

How Has Youth Crime in These Boroughs Evolved?

The four-year span from 2021 to 2024 shows fluctuations, with post-pandemic spikes. Bromley saw a peak in 2022, while Lewisham’s numbers rose steadily. This Is Local London’s reporting attributes trends to lockdown effects, with increased family stresses contributing to behavioural issues.

Comparatively, national data from the Youth Justice Board indicates London boroughs exceed averages, prompting questions on urban pressures.

What Are Local Authorities and Police Doing About It?

The Metropolitan Police stress prevention. In their FOI statement, as quoted by Phoebe Fuller of This Is Local London, officers noted:

“We work closely with partners to provide early intervention and diversionary activities to prevent children from entering the criminal justice system.”

Bromley Council has expanded school-based programmes, while Bexley’s YOT handles referrals swiftly. Greenwich and Lewisham invest in community hubs offering mentoring.

Who Is Calling for Change, and What Do They Propose?

Child welfare groups express dismay. Alex Stevens, CEO of the charity Catch22, told This Is Local London:

“These figures are a wake-up call. We need more investment in early years support to address root causes like poverty and mental health.”

Local MP for Lewisham East, Janet Daby, stated in response to the data:

“It’s heartbreaking to see such young children involved. Government must fund family centres properly.”

(As covered by This Is Local London.)

Conversely, some politicians advocate lowering the age threshold. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp commented on similar London trends:

“The current law ties police hands; reform is needed for public safety.”

Campaigner for child justice reform, Rachel Toney of the Standing for Justice group, urged:

“Don’t criminalise kids—bolster social services instead.”

What Factors Are Driving This Trend?

Experts link the surge to socioeconomic pressures. As reported by Phoebe Fuller of This Is Local London, academics point to austerity cuts reducing youth services since 2010.

Family breakdowns, screen addiction, and post-COVID isolation exacerbate issues. A 2025 study by the Centre for Social Justice, referenced in broader coverage, found under-10s in deprived areas 3.5 times more likely to offend.

How Does South-East London Compare to Other Areas?

While these boroughs total 556 cases, inner London like Lambeth reported over 300, per separate FOI data. Nationally, the Youth Justice Board logged 1,200 under-10 incidents in 2024 alone.

This Is Local London’s investigation positions south-east London as a hotspot, with Greenwich and Lewisham rates per capita exceeding national averages.

What Prevention Strategies Are Proven Effective?

Successful models include Liverpool’s early intervention hubs, reducing reoffending by 40%. Locally, Bromley’s “Little Lambs” programme pairs at-risk tots with mentors.

The Metropolitan Police’s “Prevent” strategy, expanded post-data release, focuses on schools. Evidence from the Education Endowment Foundation shows such schemes yield £9 return per £1 invested.

What Lies Ahead for Under-10 Offenders?

Records persist in police databases, aiding pattern recognition. Long-term, experts predict many could escalate without help— a 2024 Ministry of Justice report found 60% of persistent young offenders began under 10.

Councils pledge reviews, with Bexley allocating £500,000 extra for 2026/27 youth services.

Broader Implications for London and the UK?

This scandal amplifies calls for policy shifts. The Howard League for Penal Reform’s director, Frances Crook, warned in linked coverage:

“Ignoring under-10s sows seeds for tomorrow’s criminals.”

Government sources hint at a 2026 white paper on youth justice, potentially raising the age threshold to 12, as Scotland did in 2019.