Arrests of children in Gwent have fallen by 53 per cent in the last five years – after a concerted effort by police and a successful campaign by the Howard League for Penal Reform to keep as many boys and girls as possible out of the criminal justice system.

Figures published by the charity today (Monday, October 10) reveal that, during 2015, Gwent Police made 1,172 arrests of boys and girls aged 17 and under - up on the 2014 figure of 980

The statistics show however that the force has made significant progress since 2010, when it made 2,503 child arrests.

Although the overall trend is positive, Gwent Police was one of 13 forces in Wales and England who recorded a rise in the number of arrests of boys and girls between 2014 and 2015.

Figures also show that the greatest success in reducing child arrests came in Dyfed Powys, which showed a 73 per cent reduction since 2010 - making 625 arrests in 2015 and 2,307 in 2010.

Nationwide, police made 102,666 arrests of boys and girls aged 17 and under during 2015 – a 58 per cent reduction in five years. Many forces have reviewed their arrest procedures and policies after the Howard League’s positive engagement with them.

Every police force in Wales and England made fewer child arrests in 2015 than in 2010. Thirty-four forces brought down their number of child arrests by more than half, including 10 who achieved reductions of more than 70 per cent.

The most successful force in the country was Humberside Police, which recorded a 77 per cent drop in the number of arrests.

There were 874 arrests of primary-age children (10- and 11-year-olds) in 2015, a reduction of 19 per cent from the previous year.

Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “I applaud the police for their success in reducing child arrests. The Howard League is proud to have played its part in a significant change to the policing and life chances of children.

“It is particularly gratifying that the reduction in child arrests matches exactly the reduction in custody for children, and it is no coincidence. We have stemmed the flow of children into the justice system and the consequential downward spiral into crime and custody.

“It is a little disappointing that 13 forces, including Gwent Police, have not maintained the momentum in the last year. We are looking forward to working with them to address this challenge.”

The statistics have been published in a Howard League briefing, Child arrests in England and Wales 2015, which shows how reducing the number of children entering the system has stemmed the flow of children into custody.

Between 2010 and 2015, the number of children in prison in England and Wales fell by 58 per cent – decreasing at the same rate as child arrests.

Arrests of girls are falling at a faster rate than arrests of boys. Police recorded a 63 per cent drop in girls’ arrests between 2010 and 2015, and the number of girls in prison decreased by the same proportion.

The briefing states that the welcome fall in arrests can be attributed to better use of resources to solve problems, the removal of national targets, improved staff training, and support from communities.

Child arrest figures for Gwent Police

2010: 2,503

2011: 2,163

2012: 1,698

2013: 1,569

2014: 980

2015: 1,172