Notts: Arrests of children by police drop

Arrests of children by Notts Police have fallen by 69 per cent in five years, figures obtained by the Howard League for Penal Reform, revealed.
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Guardian News

Research shows that the number of arrests in Notts dropped from 7,008 in 2008 to 2,189 in 2013.

It follows a successful Howard League campaign aimed at keeping as many children as possible out of the criminal justice system.

However, despite this positive trend, child arrests remain all too common nationwide – a child was arrested every four minutes in England and Wales in 2013.

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

“A sharp fall in the number of children entering the justice system is good news for everyone striving to reduce crime.”

“The challenge for police now is to maintain this trend. At a time of austerity, further reducing the number of children arrested would free up more officer time to deal with serious crimes.”

Children in England and Wales can be arrested from the age of ten – the lowest age of criminal responsibility in Western Europe.

A Howard League paper recommends the age of criminal responsibility should be raised to 14.

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