Violent youths who robbed seven shops are spared jail - as Labour urged to do more to prevent 'young criminals from roaming the streets'

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 05:11 EDT, 7 September 2026 | Updated: 05:25 EDT, 7 September 2026 Labour has been urged to do more to prevent young criminals roaming the streets after two violent youths who robbed seven shops were spared jail. The gang of youths who violently raided mobile phone shops across London avoided custodial sentences despite barrelling into stores with masks on and threatening staff. The thieves forced staff to open stockrooms and safes so they could steal high-value mobile phones, according to reports. Two youths involved were issued with referral orders rather than being sent to a young offenders' institution. One received a 12-month intensive referral order for the robberies that took place across London and the south-east of England. The second was handed a 12-month youth rehabilitation order and a 12-month supervision order. A referral order is used as an alternative to prison for people under 18 for offences that normally merit jail time. Those convicted must usually attend 25 hours a week of youth justice appointments and activities rather than going to a young offenders' prison. Labour has been urged to do more to prevent young criminals roaming the streets after two violent youths who robbed seven shops were spared jailThe Met attempted to impose behaviour orders, such as preventing the youths from contacting their co-defendants and entering phone shops, at the prospect of the youths avoiding jail but the courts refused their application. Nick Timothy, the shadow justice secretary, said: 'Labour must take action to stop dangerous young criminals from roaming the streets. It is an utter disgrace that painstaking police work has resulted in these violent thugs getting away with no real punishment for their crimes.'Prison works, and Labour must drop their reckless youth justice policies which will make it even harder to keep dangerous young criminals off the streets.' An adult member of the gang had previously been sentenced to three years in jail for his role in the violent robberies, according to The Telegraph. Britain's top police officer, Sir Mark Rowley, warned last week that violent criminals were being freed on bail. The Met Commissioner said he was 'flabbergasted' at the growing number of suspects charged with gun and knife crimes who are being let back on to the streets. Sir Mark said: 'This isn't a theoretical risk. We are seeing stabbings and in one or two cases homicides committed by people who would previously have been on remand in custody. This is really troubling.' The youths that were given a referral order instead of prison were just another example of violent offenders being released into the public. Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said he was 'flabbergasted' at the growing number of suspects charged with gun and knife crimes who are being let back on to the streetsMore than 30 people charged with serious firearms offences in London alone were currently on bail, it was revealed last week. The Mail revealed that there are now a staggering 3,000 electronic tag breaches by bailed suspects every week across England and Wales.In nine out of ten cases, the courts re-release them on bail, which will embolden serial offenders, police chiefs fear.Victims' advocates said the creaking criminal justice system was now creating serious implications for public safety.It comes as thousands of criminals are set to be let out early under Labour's controversial Sentencing Act aimed at tackling overcrowding.In the last six months alone, the number of bailed suspects breaching their electronic tag conditions has rocketed by nearly 50 per cent in London alone, from 2,977 in January to 4,408 in July.Breaches can include going on the run, contacting a victim, flouting a curfew, attempting to remove a tag or going to a prohibited area.