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16/01/2004
Children facing police protection offered better information
Children who have to be placed under police protection will get more information and reassurance following the publication today of new 'child- friendly' leaflets, the Home Office announced today.
The new literature, designed by child protection experts, has been funded and produced by the Home Office, with support from the NSPCC. It will be used by police officers to help explain in simple terms to children and young people why the police need to protect them, what will happen to them and to reassure them that they are not in any trouble. The series of leaflets will also give information to parents, guardians and carers.
The police have powers to take a child into police protection when they are at risk of serious harm - for example where children are lost or missing, or there are concerns about the care of the child.
Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said today: "The decision to take a child into police protection is never taken lightly and is only used when a child is at risk of serious harm.
"However, our overriding priority is to ensure the safety and welfare of children at risk, and the police have a vital role to play in this.
Mary Marsh, NSPCC Director and Chief Executive, said that as police protection can be a "bewildering experience" for some, the leaflets should enable children to understand what's going on and "help make the experience less distressing".
A child can be held in police protection for 72 hours and the police must notify the social services department as soon as is practicable after they have been taken into police protection. The social services should then find somewhere safe for them to stay while enquiries are being made.
The leaflets will be initially distributed to police child protection units.
(gmcg)
The new literature, designed by child protection experts, has been funded and produced by the Home Office, with support from the NSPCC. It will be used by police officers to help explain in simple terms to children and young people why the police need to protect them, what will happen to them and to reassure them that they are not in any trouble. The series of leaflets will also give information to parents, guardians and carers.
The police have powers to take a child into police protection when they are at risk of serious harm - for example where children are lost or missing, or there are concerns about the care of the child.
Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said today: "The decision to take a child into police protection is never taken lightly and is only used when a child is at risk of serious harm.
"However, our overriding priority is to ensure the safety and welfare of children at risk, and the police have a vital role to play in this.
Mary Marsh, NSPCC Director and Chief Executive, said that as police protection can be a "bewildering experience" for some, the leaflets should enable children to understand what's going on and "help make the experience less distressing".
A child can be held in police protection for 72 hours and the police must notify the social services department as soon as is practicable after they have been taken into police protection. The social services should then find somewhere safe for them to stay while enquiries are being made.
The leaflets will be initially distributed to police child protection units.
(gmcg)
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