Police urged to stop locking up children overnight

A charity that supports young people in custody has urged the Thames Valley Police to stop detaining children overnight in cells.

The Howard League for Penal Reform released figures on Monday showing 38 children are locked up overnight in Thames Valley Police cells each week.

The annual total across England and Wales is 40,716 which equates to about 112 detentions per night.

This does not include the police services which could not provide figures.

The Howard League is now asking police to work more closely with parents and children's services to provide safe and appropriate care for boys and girls who come to their attention.

Frances Crook, chief executive of The Howard League said: "The vast majority of children who are locked up are innocent of any crime, and it is a frightening and intimidating experience which does more harm than good."