More than 209,000 young people were detained by police in England and Wales in 2010.
(2,117 of those arrested were under the age of 11. The police have even arrested some children for throwing sticks at a horse chestnut tree (we do that to get the conkers, and yes, I have done it – even as an adult), but believe it or not, the number of children actually arrested has fallen in recent years. I have the sneaking suspicion that children are easy targets, whilst hardened criminals may be dangerous. I know who I’d rather go after.)
(2,117 of those arrested were under the age of 11. The police have even arrested some children for throwing sticks at a horse chestnut tree (we do that to get the conkers, and yes, I have done it – even as an adult), but believe it or not, the number of children actually arrested has fallen in recent years. I have the sneaking suspicion that children are easy targets, whilst hardened criminals may be dangerous. I know who I’d rather go after.)