THE INFLUENCE OF PETTY CRIMES AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AMONG STREET CHILDREN IN UYO METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT

Petty crimes and juvenile delinquency among street children in Uyo Metropolis have become pressing societal concerns, affecting public safety and social stability.

The aim of this research was to strategically examine the influence of petty crimes and juvenile delinquency among street children in Uyo metropolis. The specific objectives of the study were adequately examined. Literature relating to the study was adequately reviewed.

Ex-Post Facto research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised the residents in Uyo metropolis as a random sampling technique was used to select the sample size of (383) three hundred and eighty three respondents for the study.

The Main Instrument used in this study was a questionnaire titled “Influence of Petty Crimes and Juvenile Delinquency among Street Children Questionnaire (IPCJDSCQ)”.

The validation of the instrument was carried out by an expert in test, measurement, and evaluation to ensure its validity. The reliability coefficient obtained was 0.77, and this was high enough to justify the use of the instrument.

The researcher subjected the data generated for this study to appropriate statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics and percentage analysis to answer the research question and simple regression and t-test to test the hypothesis.

The test for significance was done at 0.05 alpha levels. The research also evaluates the role of law enforcement and social welfare agencies in addressing these challenges.

Findings indicate that a holistic approach—incorporating education, rehabilitation, and community-based support—is crucial in reducing juvenile delinquency.

Alternatively, one of the recommendations made, along with others, strategic policies, including skill acquisition programs, counseling, and strengthened child protection laws,

to prevent street children from engaging in criminal activities and promote their reintegration into society.

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY ON PETTY CRIMES AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY

Crime is a universal phenomenon and has always been associated with society. It is one of the problems governments all over the world have been confronted with as many innocent people have been maimed

and killed even valuables lost due to the activities of criminals around the world. Criminal activities around the world can be experienced in the forms of armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, drug trafficking, traffic offence, rape, murder, drug abuse, corruption, assault,

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and stalking among others. Crime is not uniformly distributed across space and it abounds in every country, however, the degree of crime varies from society to society as no society is completely immune from crime.

Crimes against persons and property have become a serious threat to life and socio-economic activities of the people all over the world. A crime against an individual includes any threat of force or the actual use of force against somebody,

as well as accidents, which result in death due to an individual’s intent or negligence. A crime against property, which can also involve or not violence against a person while committing the crime,

includes any attempt or the actual deprivation of somebody’s belongings as well as willfully damaging them. Street children is a term used for children experiencing poverty, homelessness, or both, who are living on the streets of cities, towns, and/or villages.

Homeless youth are often called street kids or youths and are engaged in asking for money or food from the people (Alabi 2020). The concept of street children is contested, but many practitioners and policymakers use

the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund’s concept of boys and girls aged under 18 years, for whom “the street” (including unoccupied dwellings and wasteland) has become home and or their source of livelihood,

and who are inadequately protected or supervised (UNICEF, 2012; WHO, 2018). These are children under the age of eighteen, whose lives or livelihoods are primarily understood in terms of their relationship to the streets (Bretheton, 2005).

Juvenile delinquency is that behaviour on the part of children which may, under the law, subject those children to juvenile court. The nature of juvenile delinquency sprang up from different abnormal behaviour

such as stealing, drunkenness, burglary, robbery, rape, homicide, idleness, truancy, prostitution, disobedience, running away from home, kleptomanism and sexual promiscuity.

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Furthermore, it is nothing but a fact to say that juvenile offenders who after serving a good or complete numbers of his or her punishment in prison and still continue in deviance is because they are associated with adult prisoners.

Petty crimes and juvenile delinquency have long been pressing social issues that impact communities, families, and the overall legal system. The increasing prevalence of minor offenses committed by young individuals raises concerns

about the underlying causes, societal implications, and the effectiveness of intervention measures. While petty crimes—such as vandalism, shoplifting, and trespassing—may appear less severe compared to serious criminal activities,

their frequency and persistence indicate deeper social, economic, and psychological factors influencing youth behavior. Juvenile delinquency, which encompasses a broader spectrum of offenses committed by minors, is often linked to

peer pressure, lack of parental supervision, poverty, substance abuse, and exposure to crime-ridden environments. Early delinquent behavior can act as a gateway to more serious criminal offenses in adulthood if not addressed through proper rehabilitation and support systems.

Therefore, repeated petty crimes contribute to an atmosphere of lawlessness and erode the sense of security within communities. The consequences of juvenile delinquency extend beyond legal ramifications,

affecting educational attainment, employment prospects, and mental well-being.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM OF PETTY CRIMES AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY

The increasing prevalence of petty crimes and juvenile delinquency among street children in Uyo Metropolis presents a significant socio-economic and security challenge.

Street children, who often live without adequate parental care, guidance, or stable housing, are highly vulnerable to engaging in various forms of delinquent behavior, including theft, drug abuse, vandalism, and other petty crimes.

This issue is further compounded by poverty, lack of access to education, peer pressure, and the need for survival, which drive these children into criminal activities.

Juvenile delinquency among street children is not only a reflection of individual behavior but also a symptom of deeper structural problems such as economic hardship, family disintegration, and social neglect.

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Scholars indicate that children who grow up in unstable environments with minimal supervision are more likely to become involved in crime. The absence of effective rehabilitation and social welfare programs further exacerbates the situation,

as many of these children are repeatedly exposed to criminal influences, making it difficult for them to reintegrate into society (Obi, 2020; Ekanem & Akpan, 2018).

According to Udonwa et al. (2019), a significant percentage of street children in Uyo engage in delinquent activities primarily due to extreme poverty, family neglect, and the influence of deviant peers.

Similarly, research by Adeyemi (2021) found that inadequate educational opportunities and social exclusion contribute to increased delinquency rates among street children, thereby perpetuating a cycle of crime and marginalization.

Despite efforts by government and non-governmental organizations to curb juvenile delinquency, existing interventions remain inadequate due to limited resources, ineffective policy implementation, and a lack of sustainable rehabilitation programs.

The persistent nature of this problem underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach that includes family support, community-based rehabilitation, and policies aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of vulnerable children.

Addressing the influence of petty crimes and juvenile delinquency among street children in Uyo Metropolis requires empirical research to assess the root causes, prevalence, and long-term effects of this issue.

Such research is crucial for developing evidence-based policies and intervention programs that can effectively mitigate the impact of juvenile crime and promote the well-being of affected children.

Without immediate and well-structured interventions, the continuous rise in delinquency among street children could have far-reaching consequences on the security, economic stability, and social cohesion of Uyo Metropolis and the nation at large.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY ON JUVENILE DELINQUENCY

The major purpose of this study is to examine the influence of petty crimes and juvenile delinquency among street children in Uyo metropolis. Other general objectives of the study are:

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