CHILDREN as young as 12 have been arrested on suspicion of burglary, criminal damage and assault in 2015, force figures have revealed.

Police data, which were released under the Freedom of Information Act following a request by the Warrington Guardian, recorded 12 year olds as the youngest suspects to be arrested for these three offences in Warrington last year.

Arrests by Cheshire Police in Warrington last year also included a 12-year-old suspected of criminal damage in May, a 12-year-old for assault in May and a 12-year-old for burglary in December.

Three 14-year-olds have been revealed as the youngest people to be arrested for handling stolen goods in May, theft in July and going equipped to steal in December.

A 15-year-old was also detained for allegedly possessing a bladed weapon in public while another 15-year-old was questioned in custody on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Detective Inspector Matt Durcan said each case which is brought to the attention of officers at Cheshire Police will be dealt with as an isolated incident.

He said: “As with all decisions surrounding the arrest of a suspect a variety of factors will be taken into consideration including their age.

“Officers have a variety of means at their disposal to deal with offences including cautions, warnings, court orders and prosecutions.

"Some cases, where the victim agrees and the offender makes full admissions, can be dealt with by way of restorative justice rather than criminalising young people.

“But this is not suitable for more serious offences.

"Police forces now have to abide by a relatively new legislation whereby an arrest has to be proportionate and reasonable and other alternative measures should be considered.

“There is a lot more flexibility than there has been in the past and officers work extremely hard with partnership organisations to steer both young and old away from a life of crime.”

While children as young as children were being detained for crimes, pensioners in their late 70 and early 80s had been arrested for drink driving, assault and theft last year.

A 78-year-old was arrested on suspicion of theft in November, an 80-year-old was detained for drink driving in January and an 81-year-old was question on suspicion of assault in November.