Children as young as seven have been investigated for a range of criminal acts in the town, the Chronicle can reveal.
The seven-year-old was the youngest person to be questioned about criminal damage in Shrewsbury in the last two years.
In other incidents a 12-year-old was suspected of burglary and a 10-year-old of assault.
The figures concerning children of various ages being involved in criminal activity have been released following a Freedom of Information request to West Mercia Police.
It reveals the youngest person investigated for drugs possession in 2007 was 16. The drug in question was cannabis.
Other figures include a 16-year-old suspected of taking a vehicle without consent and a 15-year-old investigated for robbery.
Police were unable to provide a breakdown of costs in dealing with young offenders. But they did reveal 18 shotgun licences had been issued to under 16s within the SY postcode, including a 14-year-old in 2007 and a 15-year-old this year.
Richard Ewels, police spokesman, said: “If police receive a complaint it will be investigated regardless of the age of those involved. If a case is proven the CPS will obviously take into consideration all relevant details concerning the offender, including their age, before deciding what course of action to take.”
Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury, said he was very concerned about the young age of some of the offenders and that he would be raising the issue with Superintendent Guy Rutter, Shropshire Divisional Commander, at their next meeting.
But a spokesman from Shropshire County Council said there was no evidence more crimes were committed by younger people.
George Candler, assistant director for learning, culture and community safety, said: “Crime has reduced by more than 20 per cent during the past three years in Shropshire, not increased as suggested.”