The Alliance Party proposes raising Northern Ireland's age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14. This change follows a United Nations recommendation for a minimum age of at least 14. The Department of Justice held a public consultation on the proposal in October 2022.

Jon Burrows, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, opposes the plan. He states that it would prevent Police Service of Northern Ireland officers from investigating crimes by children under 14, except for murder, manslaughter, rape, or sexual assault by penetration. Burrows argues this would block arrests, forensic evidence collection, and identification of offenders.

Burrows notes Northern Ireland uses a diversionary youth justice model. Children over 10 can be investigated and prosecuted, but prosecution occurs rarely. Interventions include warnings and referrals to the Youth Justice Agency.

The Ulster Unionist Party's justice spokesperson Doug Beattie suggests raising the age to 12 as a compromise. The Democratic Unionist Party opposes raising it to 14. DUP members argue children aged 10 and above can distinguish right from wrong.

Traditional Unionist Voice MLA Timothy Gaston warns that altering the system would lead to disaster. Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland supports the change to the Justice Bill led by Justice Minister Naomi Long. Mulholland states scientific research shows 10-year-olds lack emotional maturity and intellectual capacity to understand legal consequences.

Burrows, a former senior police officer in Londonderry, says investigations enable diversions and interventions. He cites a recent Bangor case where a 13-year-old faced charges for assault on a dog handler.