The number of children arrested has dipped dramatically in the past seven years, a charity has said.

Fresh figures reveal Kent Police arrested 64 per cent fewer minors last year compared to 2010, according to Howard League for Penal Reform.

The charity. which obtained the data via a Freedom of Information request, believes the trend is due to its work with police to keep children away from crime.

Charity boss Frances Crook, said: “This is the seventh year in a row that we have seen a significant reduction in the number of child arrests across England and Wales, and Kent Police’s positive approach has contributed to that transformation.

“It is a phenomenal achievement by the police and the Howard League, and it means that tens of thousands of children will have a brighter future without their life chances being blighted by unnecessary police contact and criminal records.

“We have come a long way, but there is still more work to do. The Howard League has launched a programme to end the criminalisation of children in residential care, and our research also highlights the need for better understanding of child criminal exploitation.

Children who have been trafficked to commit crime should be seen as victims first and foremost.”

Research by the charity has found that the police force made 2,683 arrests of children aged 17 and under last year, down from 7,505 in 2010.

Across England and Wales, the total number of child arrests has reduced by 68 per cent – from almost 250,000 in 2010 to 79,012 last year.

The charity’s research briefing, 'Child arrests in England and Wales 2017', explores some of the changes police forces have made to reduce numbers and makes further recommendations.

A statement released by the charity adds: "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 offending rates.

"The number of children in prison in England and Wales was reduced by more than 60 per cent between 2010 and 2017, as fewer boys and girls were drawn into the penal system."