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Revealed: Dozens of children arrested for rape and sex crimes in the West Midlands each year

Eighty children aged 10 to 11 were arrested for numerous serious offences including rape in the West Midlands last year.

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Two children were arrested on suspicion of raping a girl under 13 while three were arrested for the rape of a boy under 13.

Eleven 10 to 11 year olds were arrested on suspicion of assaulting a person and causing them actual bodily harm, with a further five arrested for assault by beating.

One other was arrested for common assault and five more on suspicion of robbery.

The figures, released by West Midlands Police, showed in total 80 children aged 10 and 11 were arrested in 2015.

An NSPCC spokesman said the charity was concerned about the number of recorded alleged sex offences.

He said: "We know many sex offences against children are committed by their peers and it's crucial that work continues to understand why this behaviour is adopted.

"Ensuring these young people receive treatment and boosting the availability of support for their victims is key.

"Sexual offences, whether committed by another child or an adult, can have lifelong consequences."

Another child, aged 10 or 11, was arrested on suspicion of being involved with the production of cannabis, a class B drug.

Two children were arrested for attempting to wound a person with intent and another was arrested for trying to use violence to secure entry into a premises.

Other shocking statistics showed the same force had charged 84 children for gun crimes between 2013 and 2015, with the youngest being 11.

The 11 year old was among 83 boys and one girl arrested in the region, which also included a 12 year old and eight 13 year olds. West Midlands Police caught up with more than 15,000 children in the 33 months running up to last November, which equated to an average of 12 children being arrested every day.

West Midlands MEP Bill Etheridge said he was disturbed by the figures at the time.

He said: "The fact there is so many arrests of younger people just shows the definite breakdown in respect for the law."

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