Norfolk youngsters with a criminal record are more likely to reoffend than adults, new data shows.

Ministry of Justice figures for 2021 showed 84 of the 214 offenders in Norfolk aged 10 to 17 went on to reoffend within a year of being convicted or released from prison.

The youth reoffending rate at 39pc was higher than the rate for adults, 29pc of whom committed further criminal offences.

The Norfolk figure was also higher than the national rate for juvenile reoffending. 

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It comes as prison reform campaigners said children who end up in prison are being failed by a system that offers little chance of education or rehabilitation.

Andrew Neilson, of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “Children in the criminal justice system are some of the most vulnerable in society, often with histories of abuse and neglect.

“Without support to help them out of crime, it can be no surprise if they go on to reoffend once released.”

The overall reoffending rate in Norfolk was 29.3pc, slightly more than in 2019.

Of the 1,681 who reoffended the most (456) were found guilty of summary non-motoring offences including assault, breach of supervision requirements and house burglaries.