YOUNG people who are arrested in York will no longer be held in police cells from next year.

Policing Minister Mike Penning announced this week that while anyone aged 17 who is arrested is currently held in the same police cells as an adult would be, changes would be made to Section 38 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE), so that from next year they will be held in secure local authority accommodation.

Mr Penning said: "It is vital that appropriate safeguards are ultimately put in place for all under-18s who come into contact with the police.

"The law is clear that any child who is charged with an offence should not be held overnight in a police cell unless it is impracticable to transfer them to local authority accommodation and this amendment will guarantee all 17-year-olds will be treated in the same way."

Angela Crossland, City of York Council’s Youth Offending Team manager, said there were "relatively few" under-17s who were arrested in York, but the authority would work with partner agencies to carry out the changes.

She said: "With this new announcement, we are working with partners including North Yorkshire County Council and North Yorkshire Police to continually review the current provision for such young people and how we can continue to effectively manage complex young people in the community.

"This response is only reserved for those where public protection is the utmost concern at that time. In such circumstances, North Yorkshire Police endeavour to work with the Local Authority Youth Offending Team and Children’s Social Care to find secure accommodation for such overnight requirements in neighbouring authorities."

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said the changes meant 17-year-olds remanded in custody would now be treated in the same way as 12 to 16-year-olds.

It said: "When the new law comes into effect the local authority will be approached to provide accommodation rather than suspects remaining in custody overnight before appearing at court. We await formal notification of the planned changes and will follow the guidelines set out in the PACE Act."