Child Arrests By Northumbria Police Down By More Than Half
The number of children arrested by Northumbria Police has dropped by more than half over the last four years.
The number of children arrested by Northumbria Police has dropped by more than half over the last four years.
Superintendent Michael Barton said it is down to the way they NOW deal with people aged 17 and under.
Helen Attewell works with families of offenders across the North East.
She said she welcomes the change in attitudes:
"I think the police are more minded to understand that there is probably a reason behind a young person causing problems.
"They are now looking more at ways of helping the young people rather than neccessarily punishing them and labelling them.
"If you are sent to prison as a teenager you are much more likely to reoffend and have a lifetime of revolving doors going into prison and back out again.
"Education, apprenticeship opportunities, the possibilty of getting involved in a job and having a stable relationship are all the things that likely to prevent people from getting involved in further crime."