CAMPAIGNERS are calling for the government to stamp out institutional racism in response to new figures showing that a high proportion of black, Asian and minority-ethnic (BAME) children were arrested last year.

Some 60 per cent of children arrested by the Metropolitan Police last year were from BAME backgrounds, the Howard League for Penal Reform has found.

This was the highest proportion recorded by any force in England and Wales, in a policing area with a 40 per cent BAME population, raising concerns of “severe” disproportionality in the justice system.

The proportion was significantly higher in Bedfordshire, with BAME children accounting for 42 per cent of child arrests in a policing area where only 23 per cent of the population is BAME.

Overall, BAME children accounted for more than a quarter of all child arrests in England and Wales.

“Concern over the disproportionate arrests of young black people goes back decades. It is appalling that that this has been allowed to continue for so long,” blasted shadow home secretary Diane Abbott.

“It’s time that real action was taken to stamp out institutional racism in the criminal justice system.”

The Howard League’s findings follow an independent review by Labour MP David Lammy, in which he concluded that reforms are needed unless every institution in the criminal justice system offers evidence for “apparent disparities between ethnic groups.”

Mr Lammy said: “While it is welcome news that the total number of child arrests is going down, it is a cause of real concern that the levels of disproportionality are so severe and are in fact getting worse.

“My review found that once a young person enters our criminal justice system for the first time, they are then much more likely to become a repeat offender and much less likely to be able to find a job and lead a stable life.”

Zita Holborne, co-founder of Black Activists Rising Against Cuts, said: “We know our children are targeted by police. Young black men are 32 time more likely to be stopped.

“Things have got worse, with more young black men in prison than at university. We don’t need more surveys. We know racism exists in every part of our society.

“The government has to take responsibility for the issue. Recommendations from the McPherson report, following the death of [racist murder victim] Stephen Lawrence, have still not been implemented.”