Few things are more terrifying for a parent than getting that phone call from the police station. Your child has been arrested. Your mind races, your heart pounds, and you probably have no idea what happens next or what rights your child actually has.
More than 200,000 children are arrested across the UK every year. That's roughly 550 kids every single day being taken into police custody. Most are teenagers, though children as young as 10 can face arrest. The trouble is, most parents have absolutely no clue about the legal protections their children are entitled to when this happens.
The moment of arrest: what happens first
Police must contact a child's parent or guardian straight away when they arrest someone under 17. Not 'when they get around to it' or 'after processing' - as soon as possible. This isn't just good practice; it's the law under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE).
Your child should be told about their rights the moment they arrive at the police station, including their right to free legal advice from a solicitor. Don't wait - request this immediately. Every child under 17 is entitled to have an 'appropriate adult' present throughout their time in custody. This is usually a parent, but could be another family member, guardian, or if necessary, a social worker or trained volunteer. Children also have the right to speak with this adult privately, away from police officers.
Friday nights get busy in custody suites, and officers might try to rush things along. Don't let them. Your child's rights remain the same regardless of how many other people are waiting to be processed.
Police interviews: the rules are different for children
The police cannot start interviewing your child if they've asked for you to be present and you haven't arrived yet. This rule is absolute in law.
Rare exceptions do exist. If police genuinely believe that waiting could lead to someone getting hurt or evidence being destroyed, they might proceed with an appropriate adult who isn't a parent - often a social worker or volunteer. Even then, they must try contacting you first and explain why they couldn't wait.
During any interview, the appropriate adult isn't just a silent observer. They can:
- Ask for breaks if your child is getting distressed
- Request clarification of confusing questions
- Challenge inappropriate questioning techniques
- Take notes of what's being said
- Consult privately with your child during the interview
An appropriate adult differs from a parent in that they're trained to understand police procedures and children's rights. While parents usually fill this role, sometimes a professional appropriate adult might be better - for instance, if the parent is too emotional to help effectively, or if the child specifically requests someone else.
How long can they keep your child?
Police can initially hold anyone, including children, for up to 24 hours without charge. Senior officers can extend this by another 12 hours for serious offences - examples include robbery, serious assault, or drug dealing.
Magistrates can grant further extensions in exceptional circumstances. The absolute maximum detention period is 96 hours (four days) before police must either charge your child or release them. Extensions beyond 36 hours are rare for young people.
Regular reviews of your child's detention are mandatory. The first review happens after 6 hours, then every 9 hours after that. During these reviews, officers must justify why continued detention is necessary.
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A basic pat-down search is routine when police book someone into custody. Strip searches - where clothing is removed - require stricter conditions. These must be conducted by an officer of the same sex as your child, in private, with no unnecessary people present.
Your child has the right to have an appropriate adult present during any search. For younger children especially, having a trusted adult there can make an enormous difference to how distressing the experience is.
Intimate searches (examining body orifices) are incredibly rare. A senior officer must authorise these, and only if they believe your child might be concealing Class A drugs or something that could cause serious harm. A medical professional, not a police officer, must conduct intimate searches.
Fingerprints, photographs and DNA
Age determines the rules here:
- Under 14: Police need parental permission to take fingerprints
- 14-15 years old: Both parent and child must agree
- 16 and over: Police can take fingerprints and photos without permission
Before charging, police need consent from both you and your child for mouth swabs or hair samples. After charging, they can take these without permission. Blood and urine samples always require consent, even after charging - police cannot forcibly take these intimate samples from your child.
If consent is refused where it's required, police cannot proceed with sampling. They might explain that refusal could be mentioned in court, but they cannot physically force a child to provide samples where consent is needed.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
The decision to charge
Police often consult with the Crown Prosecution Service before deciding whether to charge. Many young people, especially first-time offenders accused of minor crimes, won't end up in court at all. Instead, they might receive:
- A youth caution (replacing the old reprimands and final warnings)
- A youth conditional caution with specific requirements
- A community resolution (informal agreement to make amends)
- No further action at all
These outcomes still create a record, but youth records are treated differently from adult criminal records. They're not publicly accessible and have different rules about when they expire.
If it goes to court
Children aged 10-17 who are charged usually appear in youth court. No wigs, no public gallery full of strangers - just magistrates specially trained in dealing with young people. The atmosphere is deliberately less intimidating than adult courts.
Cases involving children charged alongside adults might be heard in adult magistrates' court or Crown Court. Serious offences like murder or rape also go straight to Crown Court, regardless of the defendant's age.
Youth court proceedings are private - the public and press face strict restrictions on attending and reporting. This protects young defendants from publicity that could damage their futures.
Getting help when you need it
Request legal help the moment you hear your child's been arrested. Every police station has a duty solicitor available 24/7, completely free. Some officers might suggest that accepting legal advice makes your child 'look guilty' - ignore this completely. Legal advice is a fundamental right, not an admission of guilt.
Several organisations offer free support to parents navigating youth justice issues. The Children's Law Centre (028 9024 5704) provides advice across Northern Ireland. Just for Children Law (0203 174 2279) covers England. Youth Justice Legal Centre and the Howard League for Penal Reform also offer guidance and support.
Your child's age matters enormously in the justice system. These protections exist because society recognises that children make mistakes, act impulsively, and deserve every chance to learn without permanent consequences. Understanding these rights helps ensure they're respected, even when you're dealing with the most stressful situation imaginable.
Last year I had the police call a round a total of 10 times (assault, criminal damage, driving without a licence/insurance/permission, drugs)
I called the police on him myself when I found 7 packets of drugs when doing the laundry.
The final straw was him stealing over €400 from the dining room which was set aside for 2020 holidays. Stealing from me was the final straw and I put him in to the care system.He lasted 2 days before leaving to live with friends.
He's dropped out of college and is now involved in County Lines drugs, he has taken a car without permission and written it off and as of 18th Nov I have learnt that he's been arrested again.
Both of my children have had the same opportunities and whereas my daughter is a grade A student taking her A levels my son thinks he can live like a rap star and get everything he wants dishonestly.
By example I leaned he earned £1700 from his latest drug deal in the Summer. Did he put it towards driving lessons and a small banger to get him around (like any sensible person would). Nope he spent £1200 on a Canada Goose body warmer...IN THE SUMMER!
Much as it pains me I now have to wash my hands of him, I have worked for everything I have and expect everyone else to do the same. Will always love him but don't have to like him.
Oh, I used to be a magistrate and do a job that involves me being DBS checked, if he had styed with me and the my house had been raided I'd have lost my DBS, my job and my house...and what would my daughter do??
Is over 10 years 6 months or aged 11 as I thought the criminal age of responsibility was 10?
Many thanks
Paul Wilson
offences. Who can be with him if I’m pressing charges. His dad isn’t interested in him as he isn’t a “good boy” anymore. I feel so dreadful for doing this
Any thing we get do to try and stop them talked to the parents no joy
Can she actually get me arrested or is she just trying blackmail techniques and intimidation on me?
They are treated differently from adults and are
dealt with by youth courts
given different sentences
sent to special secure centres for young people, not adult prisons
My daughter is 17, 18 in July. She is addicted to cannabis and has been diagnosed with emotional dysregulation. She is emotionally and verbally abusive to me regularly and also violent in the home. Recently she destroyed a door in my rented home. Can I have the police remove her if she is screaming threats at me and can I have the police remove her if she damages the home? Any help here would be appreciated as it's been going on for some years now and it's really affecting my own wellbeing.
Thanks.
Thanks
Biggest gang in the UK is the police
She got charged I /we refused to go yop got date for court then we got notice of discontinue but I think police should have to appoligise or pay composition for false areat
Child services have told us more detail than the police, who I feel are being unfair as they haven't given us contact details for the dealing officer or anything, the police didn't even tell me she had been bailed for a month! I only have the social workers name and number, no way of contacting my daughter who is probably really scared and confused, I can only pass messages to her social worker.
We do have family legal insurance, is there something I should be doing? (I've only ever been on the good side of the law so this is all new to me)!
They have told my school but haven't contacted my parents to tell them and I'm sure they need to tell my parents asap?
The police officer said she felt threatened by his size even though she had already asked his age, so she knew he was only 13.
She man handled my son to the point of also grabbing his skin as she took hold of him by the collar with both hands,
My son explained that even though she said she felt threatened as she was only tiny, my son explained that she used alot of force to grab ahold of him & he could feel her strength.
When she had hold of him my son asked the officer to please let go as she was hurting him.
Her reply was " im not a knob head, your a knob".
He explained that he did have an attitude with her, but he said he didnt swear at her or say anything un toward.
The police officer put him in the back of her van & brought him home.
I was on a late shift so his dad was at home.
The officer spoke to his dad, whilst still shouting & raising her voice at my son.
My son explained that he sat with his hand up asking "can i speak please" .
The officer would not let him speak.
Im so glad i was not present to witness this .
I need to know if this is acceptable & most of all if this is right.
& at which point where my sons rights taken away.
Showing a 9/10 year old boy porn for a laugh
Asking the boy to show his penis as a joke and touching him in his private areas also as a joke
Touching a young girl around 7 near the butt when he was actually trying to push her off the bes
To pick him up to talk to him what will they say and what will happen to him
She had supposed to of hit her nan that she lives with.
But my 14 year old came to me with strangulation marks around her neck and marks on her wrists.
How long will this interview take as she's been there since 7.00
My daughter recently had a 15th birthday party in a club
Two of her friend who are also 15 were caught in a cubical in the men's bathroom by door staff who said they were taking drugs although they deny this
However the police were called and these two boys were searched by the police in the toilets.
Can the police legally do this without an adult
/ family members present
There was nothing found
But the boys had to leave the club
Only to return 10 minutes later
They were thrown out again after an hour and management informed me that drug dealing by one of the boys was taking place however this is not true at all and theses boys were never arrested
I would like to know of the police had any rights in doing a search and that the management ended my daughter party early due to drug use
However no drugs or dealing was found or arrests made
I think the club just didn't want the hassle of cleaning up after a bunch of teens
Any advice people
Thank you
My 16 year old daughter was arrested for holding a knife whilst arguing and in her defence going after her attacker but did not injure anyone whilst she herself was injured. She has a social worker as a guardian and cannot return home where she was attacked. What should I do to get her out of prison and what are the consequences if she is charged in court with this attack?
She has never been in any trouble with the police and I dont understand why she was kept in overnight for play fighting with her boyfriend. This happend in Scotland
I called the local PCSO last year who came with another PCSO to speak to her aboit it tjinkong this would frighten her but this has made no difference, in fact shes got worse since.
I want to call the police and get her arrested to teach her a lesson as today I have found another £60 gone!
She isnt bothered and just gives attitude when we speak about it to her and im at my wits end with her.
I would like to know what I can do about this please.
When the parents returned from their holidays, my daughter and theirs,along with any others involved In the group chat were cautioned by the police and now face a children's panel. My daughter in all her short life has never ever stepped a foot wrong or out of place. I am concerned for her and worry. What are the implications ? Has she ruined her life before it has even begun? What can I do as a parent. I feel helpless.
Thanks
She did however have her fingerpints, photo and dna taken.
Neither she or her mother gave permission for this.
How do I have this information retracted?
my son stayed back out of the way and said nothing to the victims, he felt really bad and wanted to do something, but if he did they would beat him up, he was scared.
he lied to the police as he was scared.
the next day I got the truth and we rang the police back and told them the kids name who held a knife to young lad.
What will happen to my son now. I am really worried this has wrecked his whole life.
he is a good lad. Was just mixing with the wrong crowd.
I am moving out of the area I live in, ad my house as been targeted before.
does anyone know?
Inside the gate a Police dog was sniffing all the children, the dog indicated My Son by licking his left hand. My Son was not told why the dog was sniffing him or given any opportunity to not be sniffed by the dog.
A Police Officer escorted My Son to a classroom in the Design Technology Block. My Son was not asked if he wished to go with the Officer and the Officer did not explain to My Son why he was being taken to the classroom.
In the classroom the escorting Police Officer handed My Son over to the care of another Police Officer and a male member of staff. The staff member was with a child known to My Son, the child left shortly after My Son arrived. Neither the Police Officer or the staff member identified themselves to My Son or greeted him in any way or explained why he was there.
My Son was told by the Police Officer to state his full name and his tutor group. The Police Officer wrote this information down.
My Son was then told by the Police Officer to open his bag, which he did and the bag was then searched by the Police Officer. My Son was then told to empty his pockets and identify the contents to the Police Officer, which he did. He was not told the purpose of the search or cautioned. He was not asked for his permission to be searched. My Son was not supplied with any paperwork or written information regarding the search. The teacher on duty in the room remained silent.
The Police Officer then told My Son to hold out his right hand, which was then swabbed with square piece of material simular to medical gauze. This material was placed in a machine, which My Son has said was approximately 1m long by 0.5m high. The purpose of this machine was not explained to My Son. My Son was not told why the sample had been taken or the purpose to which that sample would be used. My Son was not told that he could refuse to provide a sample. My Son was not asked for his consent to be swabbed or for that swab to be tested. My Son was not told the result of this test or any implications of the results of the test.
My Son was then told by the Police Officer to go to his tutor room. Throughout the entire time in the classroom, whilst being searched and tested, the teacher remained silent.
I think my son may have been assaulted ?
It's now 18months later and they have phoned me asking for them...he was 14 at time
They said it not compulsory but will lead to an arrest if not! Surely they should of done it then
My daughter was arrested yesterday for having a physical fight with her mother at her mothers address. I was notified by the custody officer after my daughter requested this.
I attended the police station and the problems started from here.
I was treated like I was a criminal from the moment I spoke with the custody officer.
Unknown to me at the time he was recording everything that was being said without my permission.
He explained what forms my daughter had signed and that she had requested me to come to the police station.
I spoke with my daughter, and even though the fight was between her mum and her, I advised her to seek legal advice.
We went back to the custody officer and I stated my daughter would like to speak with a duty solicitor.
He said he would organize this and would I sign some forms.
I read the forms and signed were I thought needed signing at this time.
In respect to fingerprints and photographs I did not sign and he then became difficult with trying to convince me to sign. I stated this would be discussed when the solicitor arrived. Is exact words then was " we can take them by force if need be" I had already read some material about rights of 15 year olds in custody and I knew they need my daughters permission as well as mine as the parent.
I explained the permissions needed to the officer but he said "we will take them by force if necessary"
I then said you cannot do this. He then asked me to wait in reception for the solicitor to arrive.
On the way back to reception a PC who was listening to the conversation between the custody officer and myself said "we can take them by force if needed you know" I said "what are you talking about" and he said "the fingerprints and the photographs". Once again I explained that my daughter was 15 and this was not allowed and that we wanted to discuss it with a solicitor first.
I then sat in reception.
2 and half hours later I was asked by a PC on reception that if I wanted to go out for a coffee etc then I could. I asked what was happening with the solicitor and they said they would check.
In the meantime I started to read the paperwork that I had be given regarding my daughters rights.
It stated on the paperwork that my daughter should have had me present before her rights were read to her or even before she had signed any forms.
The message came back from the custody sergeant that it will happen when it happens. With what I had read i stated I was not happy and I would now like to make a formal complaint about the P.... officer that is being obstructive in helping my daughter. The reception said they will log the complaint and give me a log number....as I was giving my reasons for the complaint the custody sergeant appeared and said "I believe you want a word with me, I think we should have this conversation behind a close door" he was trying to intimidate me. I said "what close door would you like to go behind" and he then said we will have it in the corridor. He
o do that and it should have been done by women police officers. you should have been given a paper suit to wear aswell.
Kicking her all the time,One day my Daughter screamed at her"Leave me Alone"
At this point the bully..Hit my Daughter putting her to the floor my daughter Head butted her the bully bit her Boob and Twisted her hand my daughter was on my floor crying
But now,The Bully Has Suddenly Got a black eye
Bite marks on her face And A broken nose but when she walke away people said he was perfectly fine now my daughter has an interview with the police
Will my daughter get Arrested for this?oh i forgot to add my daughter did punch her various times but not on the face my daughter also Pushed her off causing the bully to hit her head on a glass bottle which smashed.
of the sports section and mentions the suspension, arrests etc.My son has recruitors interested from Colleges watching and following his season; and I know the boys made bad choices and they are paying for them! Is my son at 17, protected by any law in our State of GA regarding what is printed in a local news paper????
I live in Scotland can you please advise
Thanks
Geoff
They arrested her even though they were told the other girl started it and my daughter was defending herself, they took her to the police station no caution given, locked in a cell for 3 hours by herself, when pushing the call button was ignored for 30 mins even though she told them she is asthmatic. finger prints were taken without my consent.
Even in interview she admitted defending herself ONLY by pulling the girls hair, which the other girl admitted my daughter only pulled hair it was 2 other kids that hit her trying to stop the fight. My daughter is now on 6 weeks bail and being referred to the Youth Offending Team. I dont think it's right that because she has defended herself after this girl verbally and physically attacked her she is the one who is in trouble....
She was taken to station and finger printed and photographed , placed in cell . No attempted to contact myself , her mum .
I found out she was there over three hours later by default when the police rang me to bring my husbands tablets to station . I asked if my 12 year old daughter was there too .
I then offered to send my friend to pick her up as I was over one hour away . This was when I was told she was being booked in on charges of conspirisy to supply class a drugs !!!!!
I picked her up when I drop tablets of . She is due to attend police station next week after being released on bail
What rights have we got in view to complaining . She has been having nightmares about being in a cell , going to prison
thank you for any help
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