Violent crime among children in Oxfordshire has soared by more than 50 per cent in four years.

Between 2004/05 and 2006/07 convictions for violent crime among children aged from 10 to 17 increased from 302 to 465, latest Youth Justice Board figures show.

During the same period, total crimes committed by children increased from 1,915 to 2,402 in Oxfordshire.

The news came days after a Grove man admitted he thought a teenager was going to kill him after an attack in his shop.

Aaron Hanley was left with cuts and bruises following the unprovoked attack on Monday. He believes judges are too soft on young thugs.

Supt Paul Emmings, of Thames Valley Police, declined to comment on the increase in violent crime.

Instead he pointed to the number of total crimes committed by youngsters between 2005/6 and 2006/2007, which had fallen by 100.

Mr Emmings said: "The number of reported incidents of violent crime nationally has increased, but it is pleasing that the number of young people who are entering the youth justice system for the first time is decreasing.

"We are doing a lot of work with the Youth Justice Board and relevant partner agencies to target the small amount of children who have entered the criminal justice system and prevent them from re-offending."

According to the Youth Justice Board, during 2004/05 children committed 1,915 crimes including 460 thefts, 129 drug offences, 13 sexual offences and 237 criminal damage.

In 2006/07, there were 2,402 crimes, which included 622 thefts, 179 drug offences, 12 sexual offences and 353 criminal damage.

The county's youth offending team predicts the latest annual figures on youth crime to be released next month will show a 17 per cent drop.

Tan Lea, deputy head of the Oxfordshire County Council's Youth Offending Service, said youngsters were less violent than the past, contrary to popular belief.

She said: "Young people are often criminalised for very minor actions which is part of an intolerance by society of young people.

"There is a need to shift attitudes and focus energies on the few young people where there may be very real concerns."

Deborah Clothier, policy manager of volunteer group Nacro which works with youth crime, added: "I am not saying violent crime is not a problem for many areas, but many more children are now being wrongly pushed into the criminal justice system than ever before and that is not the right way to do it."