Boy, 10, 'told off' for attempted gunpoint robbery
A 10-year-old boy arrested after he walked into a shop and demanded money at gunpoint was let off with only a police reprimand.
The child, who cannot be named for legal reasons, entered an opticians in Thornbury and brandished a BB gun and pointing it at staff.
The would-be armed robber shouted ''give me your money'' at shocked workers but fled empty-handed when they refused to give him any cash.
He was arrested later the same day but only received a reprimand from police because the alarming crime was his first offence.
A staff member who witnessed the attempted robbery at J Lueck Opticians, described it as a ''scary experience.''
She said: ''You just didn't know how serious it was. I didn't know if it was real or if it was plastic. It was a scary experience.
''Because of the way things are going in this country and because of all the stories of crimes like this happening I thought it was important to report it to the police.''
Pc Roger Hopes, of Thornbury police station, said officers treated crimes involving young children and replica firearms ''very seriously.''
He said: ''A ten-year-old boy walked into the optician's and demanded money while holding what later turned out to be a BB gun.
''The boy then ran off empty-handed but was later arrested by police and received a reprimand.
''Officers' local knowledge meant we could arrest the suspect very quickly.
''Reports of this nature get taken very seriously by police especially when they involve young children and any sort of weapon.
''We would not recommend that anyone attempts to use a BB gun or a replica firearm in this way.''
12 Comments
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by Steve, Glastonbury
Saturday, August 30 2008, 1:38PM
“Maybe The Stocks were not such a bad idea then. Perhaps the parents should join them there too?”
by Ali, Bristol
Friday, August 29 2008, 11:47AM
“Told off? Is that it? I suppose the fact that when he is old enough to be arrested and he does the same again he can most probably count on being shot dead by police marksmen. Then the table will turn and the police will be condemned for shooting him dead. This country is a complete joke!”
by Anon, Bristol
Thursday, August 28 2008, 9:23PM
“What a pathetic comment from Kevin.........the reason why this country is like what it is, is because of idiots stinking attitudes like that!”
by kevin, Longwell Green
Thursday, August 28 2008, 8:56PM
“Go Guy! Come on people this is a suburb of Bristol, this is what it will all be like in a few years - if you don't like it move to the sticks!”
by V Annoyed, Bristol
Thursday, August 28 2008, 7:08PM
“What on Earth is it coming to when a 10 year old is holding up a shop?
I certainly do not agree with physical abuse but how do you punish someone these days?
I say lock them up, and if not them, their parents! How long before it's a hold up with a real gun and a seven year old?
Disgraceful! - and the government were worried about us criminalising the youth of today. It would appear that they can manage that all by themselves.”
by kevin, hartcliffe
Thursday, August 28 2008, 5:18PM
“well i never”
by Anon, Bristol
Thursday, August 28 2008, 5:16PM
“Shame on the police. Disgraceful. Todays 10 year old is yesteryears teenager. I know I teach them!
They are more streetwise than we ever were and I'm sure this boy knew exactly what he was doing. The police need to follow this up and quickly as this boy would have learnt this behaviour from an older child or parent.
Don't kid yourself that children today are the same as children even as little as 10 years ago. My bet is he is already on the fringes of a local gang.
This country is going to hell in a handbasket!”
by lorraine, south glous
Thursday, August 28 2008, 3:37PM
“why cant he be named and shamed he was old enough to point a gun he is old enough for his name to be given out so people know what sort of boy he is”
by I.R KITTEH, Bristol
Thursday, August 28 2008, 3:14PM
“When I was 10 I used my toy machine gun to mow down other kids pretending to be germans..should I have been tried for war crimes?”
by Steve, North Bristol
Thursday, August 28 2008, 2:10PM
“Gene Hunt, Bruistol. I'm not tree-hugging liberal but there is never any circumstance when a child, especially someone else's should be repremanded with a good and hard belting.
Childremn of this age need to be educated and shown the right way to act rather than beaten up by strangers.”