Data supplied to CYP Now by Devon and Cornwall Police reveals that in the 12 months up to the end of November 2014, 32 children aged 17 and under were held at custody centres across the police force area using section 136 of the Mental Health Act.
The data also shows Devon and Cornwall Police is increasing their use of the act to detain children – there were 29 individuals aged 17 and under held at custody centres using a section 136 order in the year up to the end of November 2013.
Section 136 orders are used by the police to take someone to a "place of safety" if they are in a public place and deemed in need of care. Recent government guidance says cells should never be used for children as places of safety, but police are sometimes forced to do so until an in-patient bed becomes available at a local hospital.
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