MORE than 4,600 people were given cautions for crimes including sexual offences, robbery and drug offences in Gwent last year.

In 2008-09, Gwent Police handed out cautions to 31 people for sexual offences, 644 for drug offences, 2,190 for violence against another person and two for robbery.

During the same period there were 70 people cautioned for committing fraud and forgery, 932 for handling stolen goods, 23 for burglary in a home, 50 for burgling other buildings and 696 for criminal damage.

In total there were 4,693 people cautioned, which also includes 55 for unnamed offences.

Examples of the instances in which cautions are handed out include consensual underage-sex when both parties are underage, possession of class C drugs with no intent to supply, shoplifting and affray.

Chief Superintendent Alun Thomas said cautions are given to people with no previous convictions who have committed low-level crimes.

He said: "To put it into perspective, we are charging more people than we caution and the purpose of a caution is to, where appropriate, prevent people having to go into the criminal justice system when it may adversely affect the rest of their lives."

Cautions are issued by custody sergeants and the Crown Prosecution Service and while they do not appear on an offender’s criminal record, a caution record is kept which can be accessed by all UK police forces.

A condition can also be issued with a caution ordering the offender to write a letter of apology or pay compensation.