I'm sure I've heard before that a police officer can remove a child from a situation they consider to be dangerous for that child without permission from a parent/guardian. Is this true and does anybody know where the power comes from? And also if the parent/guardian tried to obstruct you removing the child would they commit an arrestable offence of any kind?
Sec. 46 Children Act 1989.
Police officer has the authority to take a child away from a dangerous situation to prevent
| QUOTE (Children Act) |
| unnecessary suffering or injury to health including injury to or loss of sight, hearing, limb, organ of the body or any mental derangement |
If a person physically tries to the prevent the constable from doing this then you can arrest under sec.25 PACE.
| QUOTE (Zara @ Nov 27 2005, 05:56 PM) |
| I'm sure I've heard before that a police officer can remove a child from a situation they consider to be dangerous for that child without permission from a parent/guardian. Is this true and does anybody know where the power comes from? And also if the parent/guardian tried to obstruct you removing the child would they commit an arrestable offence of any kind? |
Its called taking out a police protection order, i can't tell you much else but would suggest that if the parent tried to obstruct you then they could be arrested for obstructing a police officer in the lawful execution of their duty or a public order offence.
Police can remove a child under 18 years of age to prevent them from significant harm and this lasts for a maximum of 72 hours.
Then theyre returned to parent/guardian or else social services. no idea where it came from. Only had to use it a hand full of times