Age and Gender of Offenders

Where studies of offenders exist, it appears that most robberies are committed by men, particularly young men between 15-18 years of age. (see below), 90 per cent of the persons accused (cautioned, charged or summoned 1999-2000) by the Metropolitan Police force were male, and almost a third were aged under 16. This view is confirmed in the 2000 British Crime Survey which, suggests that 68% of muggings are committed by complete strangers. Offenders are almost always male (93%) whatever the sex of the victim. A relatively high proportion of offenders (9%) were thought to be of school age, but they were generally judged to be between 16 and 24 years old (70%).

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