Anna Feuchtwang, Chief Executive of the National Children's Bureau said:
'Despite instances of good practice, there remain considerable shortcomings in how the police deal with children and young people. This report confirms that children are still being detained in cells rather than being transferred to the care of their local authority or to specialist support from mental health services. And some groups of children - notably children in care - run a greater risk of being prosecuted than their peers.
'For all these young people, it is easy to lose sight of the fact that being detained or arrested by the police can be a deeply traumatic experience. Police officers must be trained to communicate effectively with children under their care so they understand what is happening to them. The system should not treat young people merely as 'small adults' with little regard for their needs or vulnerabilities.'