Hertfordshire Constabulary have been praised for their “tremendous achievement” in reducing numbers of child arrests by three-quarters over the last six years.

Figures published by the Howard League for Penal Reform on Monday, August 7, revealed the force made 1,558 arrests of children aged 17 and under last year, down from 3,948 in 2010.

The statistics underline the “success” of the Howard League Reform programme, which involves working with police forces to keep as many boys and girls as possible out of the criminal justice system.

Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said police in Hertfordshire should be “applauded for their positive approach” in helping numbers drop by 61 per cent.

She 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.

“Hertfordshire 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.”

Across England and Wales, the total number of arrests has fallen by 64 per cent in six years, from almost 250,000 in 2010 to 87,525 in 2016.

The total number of arrests has fallen every year since the Howard League campaign began in 2010, and the impact can be seen in every police force area in the country.