POLICE arresting fewer children has encouraged gangs to use teenage drug runners, Thames Valley’s police commissioner has said.

Anthony Stansfeld said children being used by drug gangs was a consequence of something done for the best intentions – adding that 17-year-old ‘thugs’ running drugs could do with a night in the cells.

Critics have attacked Mr Stansfeld over the comments, emphasising that the children involved are often victims of exploitation.

Mr Stansfeld made the comments while discussing county lines.

The phrase refers to a technique adopted by gangs in areas like London and Birmingham in which they expand their drug market into other counties, often exploiting children and vulnerable people in the process.

He said: “We make great efforts not to put children in police custody and that has encouraged gangs to use underage people.

“It’s one of these consequences of something done for the best intentions.

“It’s a safeguarding issue. I think young thugs running drugs at the age of 17 probably need a night in the cells.”

Mr Stansfeld accepted that the issue involved a great deal of complexity.

He added: “The danger is that a lot of people are being blackmailed and forced into running drugs.

“Some people running drugs are quite young. You have 14-year-olds being forced into it.

“I don’t like having to lock up underage people but a side-effect has been this result. It’s a moral dilemma.”

Tom Hayes, Oxford City Council’s lead on community safety, warned of the dangers of labelling children as criminals.

He said: “Children need support to escape exploitation. Locking them up isn’t going to help them or help keep our communities safer. These children are victims, plain and simple.

“We need everyone at the top to understand the power of the exploiter and the fear of the child.”