THE NUMBER of children arrested by Wiltshire Police has halved in seven years, new statistics show.

Last year, 953 children aged 17 and under were arrested by the force – down from 2,262 in 2010.

The figures, obtained by prisons charity the Howard League for Penal Reform, appear to back up national trends. Across England and Wales, arrests of children have fallen by 64 per cent.

Wiltshire Police said that they had “embraced” a National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) strategy to take a “child-centred” approach.

Launched in 2015, this strategy emphasises the importance of avoiding “unnecessarily” putting children through the criminal justice system – especially where their behaviour can be better dealt with through other means.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “Alternatives should always be sought to detention in custody.

“Custody Sergeants in Wiltshire are aware of the vulnerability of young people, recognising that young offenders are often victims in many ways; such as emotional/physical/sexual abuse, neglect and/or suffering from Mental Health issues.

“Therefore, detention in Police custody must be necessary, proportionate and the last resort. Our Sergeants will challenge and refuse detention if they’re not satisfied the circumstances fit.”

Wiltshire Police said that they also worked with partners to engage with young people.

A spokesman called this work “an important part of policing which builds relationships with young people for the future”.

Every force in England and Wales have reduced the number of children they arrest, the Howard League for Penal Reform said.

Since 2010, 12 forces have slashed the number of children arrested by more than 75 per cent.

The force with the fewest child arrests was Dorset Police. In 2016, officers arrested just 447 under 17-year-olds, down 80 per cent on the 2010 figures.

Frances Cook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, 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.

“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.”