Although only around a fifth of those to appear in court so far relating to the disorder are reported to be children, scores of under-18s have been remanded in custody.
It is feared there could be a subsequent rise in the number of custodial sentences, accompanied by a marked shift in political and public opinion as to how to deal with young offenders.
Moves to reduce child custody numbers and to provide better support for troubled children are set out in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill. But the bill, which goes to committee stage in the House of Commons next month, could now be subject to amendments tabled in response to the riots.
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