The Commissioner, Chris Quinn, said: “Children as young as seven are reported to have been throwing bricks, bottles, and petrol bombs at police in the Broadway area of South Belfast last night, as the rioting continued for a second night.
“Let that sink in – seven years of age. That is incredibly disturbing. Clearly, children and young people are being exploited by criminal gangs, who must be stopped.
“NICCY provided advice to Government on safeguarding children and young people from this abuse and exploitation in 2021*: Advice to Government: Child Criminal Exploitation – Safeguarding Children and Young People from Abuse and Exploitation
“Sadly, we appear to be no further forward, and I repeat the call for a unified strategic response to protect children from harm including abuse, violence, coercion and exploitation by organised gangs and groups.
“It is imperative that children, young people, families and community and voluntary organisations are involved in the development of this strategic response.”
* Child Criminal Exploitation – Safeguarding Children and Young People from Abuse and Exploitation July 2021 can be downloaded at the right-hand side of this page.