The figures revealed that 137,000 10- to 18-year-olds were proceeded against last year, 13,000 fewer than 2001.
The number of 18- to 21-year-olds proceeded against fell sharply from 222,000 to 206,000 in 2004.
Will McMahon, a senior associate at the Crime and Society Foundation, said the statistics highlighted the folly of the Governments punitive approach to young people.
The number of serious offences has dropped like a stone since 2000 but the number of young people in prisons continues to go up, he said.
McMahon called for a dramatic U-turn in government policy away from custodial sentences and questioned the effectiveness of the Youth Justice Board.
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