Police Protection

The police have the power to take children or young people into police protection for up to three days if they think that they are being hurt.  This does not mean that you are put into a cell or kept at the police station.  The police ask Children, Schools and Families to find you somewhere safe to stay.  The Police need to be satisfied that you are living in a safe place where you will not be hurt.  This might be either your home or somewhere else.  It is possible that you could be subject to Police Protection and be at home, if they think it is safe for you to be there.

Often social workers then get an Emergency Protection Order before the three days of the police protection order runs out, so that a child can continue to be kept safe.