Research shows that children as young as 10 years old make up a portion of more than 1,500 minors who've been arrested for firearm arms offenses in the United Kingdom between 2013 and 2016.
According to data released by authorities through the Freedom of Information Act, 1,549 children were arrested on suspicion of involvement in gun-related crimes. 506 of the arrests comprise charges brought by police. The Sun reported that the figures saw a striking increase of 20% last year.
A relative of one of the victims revealed that gangs were involved in the crimes wherein they would instruct children to carry guns as decoy to avoid exposure.
Ian Cameron Swanston, a counsellor and trustee of charity group Mothers Against Violence, also said some youngsters are of the belief that carrying guns and other firearms would raise their "status."
"Gangs use children, they use their girlfriends. They use people who the police are unlikely to search," Swanston told the Daily Mail. "For some it's about status. Having a gun is seen as having power and people become fearful of you."
Locally, Lancashire's reported gun crimes involving children soared by 62.5%, which is higher than the 20% national increase. According to the Lancashire Evening Post, thirteen children were arrested for suspected involvement in gun crimes in 2015 alone.
The Lancashire Constabulary made eight arrest in 2014 and 11 in 2013.
The Metropolitan police, Britain's largest force, made the most number of arrests accounting for 679 juvenile delinquents between 2013 to January 2016. 30 of these children were under 13 years old. 212 of them were charged with firearm offenses within the same period.
Within the same timeframe, Merseyside police reported that 73 children were arrested in their jurisdiction, while West Midlands police arrested 83 boys and one girl.
A spokesman for the National Police Chiefs' Council said, "Firearms offences in the UK still account for less than 0.2% of total recorded crime. These offences reflect a broad range of crimes, which can include air weapons or even possession of a BB gun if used in criminal circumstances."
It was assured that police forces across the country are working together with the community to prevent youngsters from being associated in criminality through their involvement in gangs and gun crimes.
