Child arrests in Gloucestershire falls to five-year low

Children being arrested in Gloucestershire has fallen to a five year low, dropping by 70 per cent since 2008.

The number of arrests of children aged from 10 – 17 years of age, fell from 3,035 in 2008 to 920 by 2013.

The figures were obtained by the Howard League for Penal Reform, who work with the police in a bid to reduce the number of children being arrested.

In 2013, police in England and Wales made more than 129,000 arrests of children aged 17 and under, with 1,107 of these aged just 10 or 11 years of age and still in primary school.

Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, Frances Crook, said: “It is encouraging to see that Gloucestershire Police are making significantly fewer arrests of children than they were in 2008, thanks in part to our effective campaigning.

“Most police services in England and Wales have developed successful local initiatives that resolve issues quickly and cheaply, involve victims in the justice process and, crucially, avoid criminalising boys and girls.”