Child arrests in Wiltshire down nearly two thirds since 2010
Figures from the Howard League for Penal Reform show a massive drop
Last updated 16th Dec 2020
Since 2010, the organisation has been working with police forces around the country to try and reduce the number of 10 to 17 year olds being arrested by officers.
In Wiltshire, the numbers have fallen from 2,262 children arrested in 2010, down to the latest figures of 815 in 2019 - that's a 64% fall overall.
There was a slight increase in arrests of children in the last year though, with 747 young people held by Wiltshire Police in 2018.
WILTSHIRE POLICE RESPONSE
The force say they're pleased with the figures, but recognise there's more to 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.”
The figures for Hampshire Police show an overall 56% drop in child arrests from 2010 to 2019.
8,267 were stopped according to the earlier figures, with 3,917 arrests in the latest results.
Hampshire also saw a fall in the last year, comparing with 4.044 in 2018.
Nationally, there's been a 71% fall in under 17s arrested in England and Wales from 2010 to 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. The Howard League will continue to support forces to make communities safer and allow more children to thrive."
There are also calls for police forces to focus crime prevention work with children on areas where young people are statistically more likely to be affected - including amongst black and minority ethnic backgrounds, victims of child criminal exploitation, and children living in residential care.