Child arrests in Wiltshire down nearly TWO THIRDS since 2010
Figures from the Howard League for Penal Reform show a major drop
Last updated 16th Dec 2020
There has been a 64% fall in the number of children being arrested in Wiltshire since 2010.
Over the past decade, the Howard League for Penal Reform has worked with police forces nationwide, to reduce the number of 10 to 17-year-olds being held by police.
In Wiltshire, the numbers have dropped from 2,262 children arrested in 2010, to 815 in 2019.
There was a slight increase in youngsters being arrested in the last year though - 747 young people were held by Wiltshire Police in 2018.
WILTSHIRE POLICE RESPONSE
Whilst the force is pleased with the figures, it recognises more must be done:
“Wiltshire Police has been working hard to reduce child arrests through our early intervention and partnership work. This has included working closely with young people who are at risk of or are being exploited, those who are vulnerable, or those identified as being involved in crime or anti-social behaviour from a young age.
“We are committed to diverting young people away from the criminal justice system wherever possible and direct first-time youth offenders through the Youth Restorative Intervention Panel when appropriate.
“We also offer a range of early intervention programmes and initiatives, including the Swindon and Wiltshire Intervention for Families to Thrive, Mini Police, Junior Good Citizen, World of Work, Mentoring Circles and a full programme of age-appropriate school lessons to engage and educate young people about informed choices and consequences".
As a whole, England and Wales has seen a 71% decrease in arrests of under 17s between 2010 and 2019.
CHARITY RESPONSE
Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said:
"Every child deserves the chance to grow and fulfil their potential, and we must do all we can to ensure that they are not held back by a criminal record.
"The Howard League's programme to reduce child arrests has shown what can be achieved by working together. Police forces have diverted resources to tackling serious crime instead of arresting children unnecessarily, and this means hundreds of thousands of boys and girls can look forward to a brighter future.
"After a successful decade spent embedding good practice across England and Wales, the challenge now is to keep up the momentum and reduce arrests still further".
There are also calls for police forces to focus crime prevention work in areas where young people are statistically more likely to be affected.
That includes black and minority ethnic backgrounds, victims of child criminal exploitation and children living in residential care.