Boris: Send 11-year-old rioters to ‘special units’

Mr Johnson wants courts to be able to send those aged 11 to 15 convicted of being involved in disturbances to pupil referral units (PRUs).

At present, only headteachers can order a child to be removed from their school and moved to a PRU.

In a letter sent to Justice Secretary Ken Clarke, Mr Johnson said: “Depriving the offender of their customary school place is something which would hit home.

“It would isolate them from their peer group during the school day, preventing bragging rights on school premises, and sends a salutary warning to other pupils that such behaviour will result in temporary ejection from the school community.

“Referring them to a PRU puts them in a unit where teachers are already skilled in addressing unacceptable behaviour but at the same time ensures that their education is continued.”

PRUs have been dubbed “21st century borstals” and host children expelled from school. There are about 420 across England and teachers can opt out of the National Curriculum.

The PRUs are subject to inspections by schools watchdog Ofsted.

Mr Johnson, who last week called on the Government to scrap its plan to cut police numbers following the riots which flared up and down the land, said the punishment should be available to magistrates dealing with the youngest criminals involved in disorder.

He wrote that he is “deeply concerned about the need to ensure that all those convicted of charges relating to the recent riots are made to face up to the enormity of their appalling conduct and the impact that it has had on their community”.

In the letter, seen by the Press Association, he said: “All those involved should be held to account for their behaviour and the capital will feel badly let down if the punishment available to the courts does not support this objective.

“I am therefore very concerned to learn that some younger offenders appear to feel that they will be able to avoid any meaningful sanctions, believing that they will not be subject to a custodial sentence and that any community sentence is not a significant deterrent.”

He calls for rioters and looters to meet their victims to hear for themselves “the impact that their criminal actions have had on businesses and residents alike and to apologise for their disgusting behaviour”.

He wants courts to force criminals to clean up their communities, following the example of the volunteer “broom army” who took to the streets to sweep away debris and repair damage.

Conservative Mr Johnson, who is seeking a second term as mayor in next year’s election, added: “If ordinary law-abiding citizens can respond so positively to the call to help their neighbours and community in their time of need, surely we should expect nothing less from those responsible.”

Meanwhile, a man appeared in court today charged with starting a fire that destroyed a furniture store during the riots.

Gordon Edward Thompson, 33, is accused of setting Reeves Furniture Store in Croydon, south London, ablaze on August 8.

He appeared at Croydon Magistrates Court accused of two counts of arson.

Wearing a grey top and jeans, Thompson spoke only to confirm his name and address during the short hearing.

He is accused of two counts of burglary in relation to allegedly stealing a laptop, as well as various items from a branch of House of Fraser.

Thompson, of Waddon Road, Croydon, is also charged with violent disorder in Croydon town centre.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Inner London Crown Court on August 22.

The Reeves store was set up in 1867 and its current owner Trevor Reeves is the fifth generation of the family to run the business.

Reeves Corner in Croydon is named after the firm.