Boy, 9, nicked for drink-driving

Boy, 9, nicked for drink-driving

A SCHOOLBOY aged just nine has been arrested for drink-driving but had to be let go by cops -because he was TOO young.

The lad was breathalysed by police and taken into custody after they spotted him behind the wheel in Cumbria. But they were forced to let him back on the streets as his age meant he was not old enough to be held accountable for his actions. The child, who has not been named, was among thousands of under 18s arrested in the north of England over the past two years.
These included four 11-year-olds and a ten-year-old arrested in the Northumbria force area for car theft, and seven 12-year-olds arrested in Cleveland for the same crime.During the same period, Durham Police arrested one 12-year-old for aggravated vehicle taking and North Yorkshire Police arrested one ten-year-old for car theft.They were included in 2,467 juveniles arrested for crimes including car theft, aggravated vehicle taking, drink driving and underage driving.
Safety campaigners demanded more action to be taken about warning children about the dangers of drinking and driving.Brake spokesman Kath Hartley said: “It is incredibly concerning that young people are risking their own and other people’s lives on the road.”This has to be addressed as a matter of urgency.”Young people must be taught the dangers of getting behind the wheel without proper training.”
Northumbria Police tried to play down the shocking figures and insisted child car crime and motoring offences had dropped since last year.A spokesman for Cumbria Police, where the nine-year-old was arrested, said it was working hard to try and curb bad behaviour.He said: “It is of particular concern when young people drive under the influence of alcohol, but we are working hard to keep the roads safe.”
Report by : The Sun