Youngest offender

Statistics, released under the Freedom of Information Act, further reveal children aged under 10 years old have committed almost 40 crimes - including assault, possessing an offensive weapon and sexual offences - in the North West over the past three years.

Children under 10 are below the age of criminal responsibility and cannot be prosecuted.

Among the 38 recorded offences by under 10s since 2007 in the PSNI's G District - an area that encompasses Londonderry, Strabane, Limavady and Magherafelt - by under 10's were four incidents of sexual offences, 9 of criminal damage, and 8 of common assault.

Hoax

There were also cases recorded of hoax calls, motoring offences, disorderly behaviour and possessing an offensive weapon.

The police say the four-year-old committed an act of cruelty but have not revealed any further details.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, who have responsibility for offenders under the age of ten, say there are mechanisms in place to address child offending.

"Specific duties for children in need are defined within the Children Order (NI) 1995.

"Arrangements are already in place for the police to refer to social services any young person identified as being engaged in risky or criminal behaviour."

"As appropriate social services can intervene to protect children at risk and will work with parents to support them in their role as the main carers for their children and in order to protect children, social services will work with parents to support them in caring for their children."

The PSNI figures further reveal the rate of child offending has fallen from 21 incidents in 07/08 to 9 incidents in 08/09. A total of 8 incidents were reported in 09/10 .