The number of children arrested in Dorset has fallen by 81 per cent in the last six years, figures published today reveal.

The Howard League for Penal Reform has revealed that Dorset Police made 447 arrests of children aged 17 and under in 2016, down from 2,310 in 2010.

The Dorset figures mirror a national trend, with the number of child arrests falling from almost 250,000 in 2010 to 87,525 in 2016 across England and Wales – a decrease of 64 per cent.

The organisation has been working with police to keep children out of the criminal justice system whenever possible.

Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League, said: “For the sixth year running, we have seen a significant reduction in child arrests across the country. This is a tremendous achievement, and we will continue to support police forces to develop their good practice and reduce the number to an absolute minimum.

“Dorset Police should be applauded for their positive approach, and the Howard League is proud to have played its part in a transformation that will make our communities safer.

“By working together, we are ensuring that tens of thousands of children will have a brighter future and not be dragged into a downward spiral of crime and custody.”

Nationally, arrests of girls are falling at a faster rate than arrests of boys. Police recorded a 69 per cent drop in girls’ arrests between 2010 and 2016, and the number of girls in penal custody fell by 78 per cent during the same period.

The league says that keeping children out of the criminal justice system helps prevent crime.

Academic research has shown that the more contact a child has with the system, the more entrenched they are likely to become, which increases reoffending rates.

A spokesman added that reducing the number of children entering the criminal justice system also stems the flow of children in custody.

Between 2010 and 2016, the number of children in prison in England and Wales fell by 58 per cent. Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Callaghan, of Dorset Police, said: “Dorset Police has made huge strides in reducing the numbers of children coming into custody and it is reassuring to see the child arrest figures are at the lowest in Dorset since 2010.

“Many children are now diverted from custody to voluntary attendance, which in most circumstances is the most appropriate arena to interview a child. This is in line with the national children centred policing action plan led by Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney.”