Arrests of children inWales fell by 64% over last six years

THE number of children arrested in Wales has fallen across each police force, according to new figures released by a charity.

Figures published by the Howard League for Penal Reform reveal the number of children aged 17 and under who have been arrested in each police force area in England and Wales over the last six years.

Across England and Wales, the total number of child arrests has fallen by 64% in the last six years – from almost 250,000 in 2010 to 87,525 in 2016.

All but four forces saw the number of child arrests drop by more than half.

In South Wales, the number of children arrested fell by 56%, with 5,659 arrests in 2010 and 2,499 arrests in 2016.

In Gwent, the number of children arrested fell by 62%, with 2,503 arrests in 2010 and 930 arrests in 2016.

In Dyfed-Powys, the number of children arrested fell by 78%, with 2,307 arrests in 2010 and 501 arrests in 2016. In North Wales, the number of children arrested fell by 55%, with 3,420 arrests in 2010 and 1,532 arrests in 2016.

Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “For the sixth year running, we have seen a significant reduction in child arrests across the country. This is a tremendous achievement, and we will continue to support police forces to develop their good practice and reduce the number to an absolute minimum.

“These forces should be applauded for their positive approach, and the Howard League is proud to have played its part in a transformation that will make our communities safer.

“By working together, we are ensuring that tens of thousands of children will have a brighter future and not be dragged into a downward spiral of crime and custody.”

Between 2010 and 2016, the number of children in prison in England and Wales fell by 58%.

As in 2015, arrests of girls are falling at a faster rate than arrests of boys. Police recorded a 69% drop in girls’ arrests between 2010 and 2016, and the number of girls in penal custody fell by 78% during the same period.

Since 2010, the Howard League has been running a major campaign, which involves working with police forces to keep as many children as possible out of the criminal justice system.

The charity believes that keeping children out of the criminal justice system helps prevent crime.

They state that the more contact a child has with the system, the more entrenched they are likely to become, which increases reoffending rates.