Arrests of children in Cambridgeshire have fallen by 72 per cent in the last five years – figures released by a campaign group have revealed.

Figures published by the Howard League for Penal Reform reveal that, during 2015, Cambridgeshire police made 979 arrests of boys and girls aged 17 and under.

The statistics show that the force has made significant progress since 2010, when it made 3,440 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.

Every police force in England and Wales 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.

Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “I applaud Cambridgeshire 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.”