Local child curfews, aimed at under-10s, were introduced last September. They were aimed at allowing local authorities, in conjunction with the police, to impose a ban on children being out alone at night in specific areas.

A Home Office spokesperson described the curfews as an "extra tool" for local authorities.

They told BBC News Online: "There are not that many of them and there was never any expectation that there was going to be a flood of local child curfews, but they can be used if necessary."

'New measures working'

The new figures also show that only one child safety order, also aimed at children aged under 10, has been passed by the courts.

The orders provide the courts with powers to nominate a responsible adult to work with children considered to be too young to be dealt with as criminals.

But despite the low take-up of some of its measures, the government has said its new system of dealing with young offenders is working.

Home Office minister Charles Clarke said: "For too long young offenders have got the idea they can get away with their crimes because of a slow, costly and ineffective system of justice.

Charles Clarke: "Change things for the better"

"We are determined to change things for the better and do all we can to ensure that the young offenders of today do not become the career criminals of tomorrow."

He said he was encouraged by the "steady progress" of the changes made by government pilot schemes.

Since the schemes began in 10 areas last September, 602 children have been subject to reparation orders. These force the offender to make up for their crime, such as apologising to their victim or clearing up graffiti.

More than 340 have been drawn into a three-month action plan order, involving an intensive community programme to try to tackle the cause of their offending.

The process of sentencing young offenders has been speeded up

Parenting orders have been imposed in 83 cases. They require parents attend counselling sessions and ensure their children go to school.

The new system of reprimands and final warnings, which replace repeat cautions, was also working well, said Mr Clarke.

Other government measures tackle youth crime include speeding up the time from arrest to sentence from 106 days, down from 142 days.

The new system will be introduced across the rest of England and Wales during the next two years.

This will coincide with the introduction of new Youth Offender Teams which will consist of social workers, police, education and health staff working locally to help deal with young offenders.

The National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders welcomed the results of the youth justice pilots, calling them "an important step towards reducing youth crime".

"These measures are much more effective than locking up young offenders in penal institutions," said director of policy Paul Cavadino.