The Long Shadow of ‘Populist Punitiveness’—Why Public Opinion May Not Preclude Increasing the Age of Criminal Responsibility in England and Wales

Abstract

This article provides one of the first broad reviews of global research on public opinion regarding the age of criminal responsibility (ACR) alongside findings from a small-scale exploratory survey of adults in England and Wales. Reviewed studies show strong support for raising the ACR across regions like Scotland, Australia, Hong Kong and Czechia. Our survey evidence potentially also offers law/policymakers in England and Wales reassurance to engage with public opinion more fully. Countries that have successfully increased their ACR, like Scotland, have utilised public consultations, providing governments with a roadmap to implement change without significant backlash. While acknowledging limitations in existing survey-based research, this article advocates for a mixed-methods approach to public opinion research to enhance understanding and inform future policy.