ARRESTS of children in Hampshire have fallen by 72 per cent in the last five years, new figures show.

The drop has been attributed to 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 reveal that during 2015 Hampshire Police made 2,295 arrests of boys and girls aged 17 and under.

The statistics show that the force has made significant progress since 2010, when it made 8,267 child arrests.

Across England and Wales, 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 England and Wales made fewer child arrests in 2015 than in 2010.

Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “I applaud Hampshire 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, across England and Wales, 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.”

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.

Reasons cited for the drop include better use of resources to solve problems, the removal of national targets and improved staff training.