Member

These statistics are important background, because we all know there is almost always a progression in the level of criminal behaviour. Very few people commit rape as their first sexual offence. Very few criminals—indeed, I suggest none—commit an armed robbery without starting first with some anti-social behaviour or a bit of shop theft, then burglary, more serious theft and a bit of violence, before running up to full-scale armed and violent robbery. That is why I want 14 to 18 year-olds included in the respect orders, as it just possibly might lead to fewer violent crimes when these people are older.