Burglar - aged just 3!

2 June 2010, 07:43 | Updated: 2 June 2010, 12:52

A girl aged as young as three is understood to have been part of a robbery duo which targetted the home of an elderly woman.

Police say the little girl, and a man aged between 25 and 30, carried out the distraction burglary in Queensway on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon.

They had knocked on the front door of a 69 year old woman's house and asked her if she wanted to buy some tobacco. 

The man then asked to use the toilet and it's believed that as he was talking to the woman the girl went round the house and took some money from the woman's purse.

Inspector Nick Lyall is the sector commander in Wellingborough for Northants Police and told Heart:"I've been in the police now for over ten years and it's the first time I've heard of something like this.  We need to make sure that this child receives the guidance, support and education that she needs."

You can hear more from Insp Lyall here

The man is described as white, approx 6ft 4incs tall of slim build. He had short dark brown hair and wore a grey top with white lettering across the front.

The young girl is described as white, aged between 3 to 5 years of slim build.  She had dark brown that was tied up in a ponytail and wore a pink top.

The girl would be one Britain's youngest criminals, whether she was aged 3 or 5.  The actual age of criminal responsibility in England is 10 with the Government believing children at that age understand the difference between criminal wrong-doing and bad behaviour.  

Witnesses can contact Northamptonshire Police on 03000 111 222