www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Being a victim of crime
Children and young people can be the victim of any crime that an adult can be a victim of, and in fact, are more likely to be victims of personal crime (assault, robbery and theft) than other age groups. People are particularly vulnerable to crime if they have been drinking.
Home Office research says:
- More than 1 in 3 young people (aged 10 to 25) had been victims of crime in the last 12 months. This is more than twice the level for those aged 26 to 65 (3 in 20).
- Repeat victimisation (where you are a victim of crime more than once) is particularly high for young people, with nearly 1 in 5 young people being a victim of crime 5 or more times.
- Young people were more likely to be a victim of assault, robbery or theft if they were male, lived in an area with high anti social behaviour or if they had committed a crime themselves.
Bullying can also be a crime, if a young person is assaulted, or has their things stolen or damaged, or if they are intimidated, threatened or harrassed.
New technology means that there are new ways for children and young people to become victims of crime. Mobile phones can be stolen, and the internet used inappropriately. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use these things, just that you should be careful.
People can also be victims of crime in their own homes, or because of friends or family.
If you have any comments or suggestions about the safer schools pages, please send them to saferschools@wiltshire.gov.uk or fill in and return our feedback form.
