Child, eight, held overnight in cell

Image captionCriminal justice campaigners say authorities are breaching statutory duties by detaining under 18s

More than 22,000 children, including an eight-year-old, were held overnight in cells in 2014-15, police figures show.

The 22,792 under-18s included one who was held for 15 days.

Criminal justice experts said authorities were breaching their statutory duties by detaining under 18s overnight in adult cells.

But police said there was a "lack of alternative accom

modation", while local authorities said they faced difficulties in finding emergency care.

Image copyrightJust for Kids

Image captionBarrister Jennifer Twite said being held overnight in a cell could have a "terrible impact" on children

The figures, which the BBC obtained through Freedom of Information requests to England's 39 forces, showed that while the number of children detained overnight had fallen, from 41,789 in 2011-12, experts believed it was still too high.