I HAVE read there have been more than 3,000 crimes committed by children under ten years of age in the past year and nothing can be done.

In another couple of years they will be older and still nothing will be done. As the PC brigade will say, they are misunderstood.

Now, I read that the Children's Society is canvassing for the age to be raised so that the "older" young people cannot be prosecuted.

I feel the age should be lowered, as in other countries. If they are old enough to do the crime, they are old enough to do the time - and if they carry knives or guns they should do time automatically.

JR Stoker, Brandon, Co Durham.