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Child arrests in Merseyside reduced by 79%

ARRESTS of children in Merseyside have been reduced by 79% in 8 years, research published by the Howard League for Penal Reform reveals. Merseyside Police made 2,151 arrests of boys and girls aged 17 and under in 2018. This compares to 2,336 in the previous year and 10,197 back in 2010, when the Howard League launched a major campaign to reduce child arrests nationwide.  Academic research has shown that each contact a child has with the criminal justice system drags them deeper into it, leading to more crime. This is why the Howard League is working with Police Forces across England and Wales to keep as many children as possible out of the system in the 1st place.

The figures for Merseyside are in line with the national trend. Data from more than 40 Police Forces show that they made 70,078 arrests of children in 2018; a reduction of more than 70% from almost 250,000 in 2010. Across England and Wales, the total number of child arrests has been reduced every year since the campaign began. Over the same period, the number of children in prison has been reduced by 63%. Arrests of Primary School age children have been reduced significantly. There were 383 arrests of 10 and 11 year olds, in 2018, a reduction of 38%from the previous year.

Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said:- "Tens of thousands of children can look forward to a brighter future without their lives being blighted by Police contact and a criminal record. Merseyside Police and other forces up and down the country have diverted resources to tackling serious crime instead of arresting naughty children. This will make communities safer, and the Howard League is proud to have played its part. Building on this success and reducing the number of arrests still further would allow even more children to thrive."

The largest Police Force in the country, the Metropolitan Police, made 13,791 arrests of children in 2018. This was a 22% reduction on the previous year, when 17,672 arrests were made, and a 70% reduction on 2010, when there were 46,079. Other forces to record significant reductions between 2017 and 2018 included:- Gwent (38%), Bedfordshire (28%), Cumbria (27%), North Wales (24%), Kent (23%), Cleveland (19%), West Mercia (19%) and Durham (18%).  Interestingly, 2 Police Forces' City of London and South Yorkshire; were unable to provide arrest figures for 2018.

Some Police Forces recorded an increase in arrests between 2017 and 2018. The Howard League is studying the figures and hopes to meet with these forces to explore how the number of arrests can be reduced in future.

Child arrest figures for Merseyside Police:-

Brits 3 times more likely to call "Mum" over "Dad" at Christmas!

"Mum'S" most definitely the word when it comes to Brits calling habits, with the nation 3 times more likely to pick up the phone to Mum, than Dad. Leaving Dad in the dark, Brits spend almost an hour on the phone to their Mum, whereas they dedicate only 34 minutes of talk time to Dad.

The research, which was conducted by telecommunications company Lebara, also found that 77% of Brits call a family member for a catch up on a weekly basis, whereas those with family members abroad, under a ⅕ ring their loved ones in the same time period.

With only 20% of those surveyed having a phone plan that includes international calls, it's not surprising that 85% don't call family abroad on a weekly basis. Nearly a ⅓ of Brits complained they were restricted to speaking to their loved ones on their phones due to cost. With most operators it's easy to rack up a bill of more than what you pay for your handset every month on a single call. Time difference, 23% and lack of free time, 15% were the other reasons cited.

Over the holiday period, nearly ¾ of Brits (70%) spend a staggering 1 to 2 hours on the phone with a family member on Christmas Day. Mum remains the most popular call recipient, with 33% saying they call their Mum on Christmas Day, with only 19% phoning their Dads. Unfortunately, only 6% dial their Grandma and Grandad to wish them a Merry Christmas.

Top 10 Family members we're most likely to call/text on Christmas Day:-

► Mum - 32%

► Sister - 32%

► Daughter - 27%

► Brother - 25%

► Son - 24%

► Dad - 19%

► Cousin - 10%

► Aunt - 9%

► Sister in Law - 8%

► Uncle - 6%

Although we love catching up with loved ones on Christmas Day, Brits are still looking for excuses to cut the call short. Nearly a ¼ say they're sitting down to Christmas Dinner 24%, that their phone battery is about to die 11% or they're burning the turkey 8%.

Top 10 excuses to cut a phone call short on Christmas Day:-

► "Sitting down to Christmas Dinner" - 24%

► "In the middle of Christmas Dinner" - 18%

► "Guests have arrived" - 14%

► "Getting something out the oven" - 13%

► "Someone at the door" - 12%

► "Phone battery low" - 11%

► "Bad signal" - 11%

► "Receiving another call" - 10%

► "Phone battery died" - 9%

► "Burning the turkey" - 8%

When speaking to family on the phone, Brits top topics of conversation include family matters, 56%, wishing them a Merry Christmas, 46%, giving negative relationship news, such as divorce or death, 30% and their finances 15%.

Rajesh Dongre, Commercial Director at Lebara Mobile (UK) said:- "It's great to see that the general public are taking time out of their busy weeks to call their loved ones throughout the year and over the festive period. However, its' worrying to see that many brits aren't calling family abroad due to high costs of international calls. Lebara's sim only deals are perfect for those wishing to speak to loved ones this Christmas, without the headache of a 3 figure phone bill."

With 18% travelling abroad for their festive celebrations this year, over ⅗ are unaware of expensive roaming charges, 61% and only 34% check the charges with their mobile phone provider before they go away. Lebara plans include Roaming in the EU for no extra cost and they have recently added India to the list of countries where you carry your home allowance for free.