They steal cars, sell drugs and have committed crimes as serious as sexual assault.

The group of eight East End neighbourhood friends is well known to Hamilton police for crimes across the city, yet none have ever been charged.

Why? Because they are between nine and 11 years old.

A four part series

Youth crime: Part 1 of 4 | Murder, assaults, armed carjackings and robberies: A look at the alarming rise in teen violence

A small but not insignificant number of kids that Hamilton police deal with each year fall into this category — children too young to be charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The most prolific of the kids, an 11-year-old boy, has been arrested for about 40 offences, including at least five stolen cars and a sexual assault, Hamilton police say.

The Spectator

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