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Parent fines for under-10s' crime Parent fines for under-10s' crime
(6 days later)
Parents of under-10s who steal, damage or destroy property could be fined £5,000 under a government crackdown.Parents of under-10s who steal, damage or destroy property could be fined £5,000 under a government crackdown.
In a pilot scheme, 10 local authorities in England are introducing Parental Compensation Orders under the 2005 Serious Organised Crime and Police Act.In a pilot scheme, 10 local authorities in England are introducing Parental Compensation Orders under the 2005 Serious Organised Crime and Police Act.
Town halls will apply for the orders when all other moves to persuade parents to take responsibility fail.Town halls will apply for the orders when all other moves to persuade parents to take responsibility fail.
Parents failing to pay could be jailed. Offenders above the age of 10 can be fined in their own right.Parents failing to pay could be jailed. Offenders above the age of 10 can be fined in their own right.
The orders - to compensate for financial loss - can be made against one or more parent, carer or guardian.The orders - to compensate for financial loss - can be made against one or more parent, carer or guardian.
They will be summonsed to court, where their means and circumstances will be taken into account before the level of compensation is set.They will be summonsed to court, where their means and circumstances will be taken into account before the level of compensation is set.
Courts only have to be persuaded to the civil standard of proof - "on the balance of probabilities" - that a child has committed what would be an offence if they were above the age of criminal responsibility.Courts only have to be persuaded to the civil standard of proof - "on the balance of probabilities" - that a child has committed what would be an offence if they were above the age of criminal responsibility.
Children under 10 can cause havoc... and their victims can feel powerless Home Office Minister Tony McNultyChildren under 10 can cause havoc... and their victims can feel powerless Home Office Minister Tony McNulty
The 10 pilot areas are Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Nottinghamshire, Worcestershire, Gateshead and South Tyneside, Leicester, York and the London boroughs of Southwark and Wandsworth.The 10 pilot areas are Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Nottinghamshire, Worcestershire, Gateshead and South Tyneside, Leicester, York and the London boroughs of Southwark and Wandsworth.
The legislation prevents orders being brought against children in local authority care, and ministers believe they should not be imposed on foster parents.The legislation prevents orders being brought against children in local authority care, and ministers believe they should not be imposed on foster parents.
Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said: "Children under 10 can cause havoc... and their victims can feel powerless.Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said: "Children under 10 can cause havoc... and their victims can feel powerless.
"Most parents take this seriously, but a minority do not make the effort and even just sit back while their children run wild. We will not tolerate this."Most parents take this seriously, but a minority do not make the effort and even just sit back while their children run wild. We will not tolerate this.
"Parents play a key role in children becoming responsible citizens."Parents play a key role in children becoming responsible citizens.
"Parental Compensation Orders go hand-in-hand with intervention and support programmes to address the problems underlying the behaviour, making our communities more pleasant places to live for everyone.""Parental Compensation Orders go hand-in-hand with intervention and support programmes to address the problems underlying the behaviour, making our communities more pleasant places to live for everyone."