(a) whether the Government is aware that children between the age group of 8 to 15 years are being employed by criminals for small time thefts and snatchings in various parts of the capital as reported in the Asian Age dated June 28,2004; and
(b) if so, the action taken or proposed to be taken to liquidate the racket involved in the training of children for pettycrimes?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI S.RAGHUPATHY )
(a): There have been some incidents in which the criminals used children in committing crimes. However, no organized training school as claimed in the news item concerned has come to the notice of Delhi Police.
(b): The steps taken by Delhi Police to prevent such crimes include designating two officers of the rank of Sub-Inspector of Police in each Police Station as Juvenile Welfare Officer to deal exclusively with juveniles; imparting suitable sensitization training to Juvenile Welfare Officers at the Police Training College; keeping surveillance on the activities of persons suspected to be involved in such illegal activities; deployment of plain-clothes staff at intersections and busy markets to develop information about such gangs; and sensitizing Beat and Division staff.