Inspectorate censures police for holding vulnerable children in cells

The Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary report The Welfare of Vulnerable People In Police Custody found that police officers sometimes detained young people in cells following reports of bad behaviour at children’s homes.

It says that despite police having a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children “some police officers did not regard all children as vulnerable” adding, “they saw the offence first and the fact that it involved a child as secondary”.

The report calls on police officers to talk to those involved at the scene and calm situations down to avoid the need for arrests.

The inspectorate also urges police forces to work closely with children’s services and other partners on crime prevention initiatives.

Among positive examples mentioned in the report is a multi-agency project called “Family Connect” in Telford, where social workers, probation, police and health professionals are co-located and meet weekly to discuss children at risk of entering the criminal justice system.

Work in North Wales through the All Wales Schools Liaison Core Programme, where police worked closely with local children at risk of crime, particularly those in care homes, was also praised in the report.

Young people who have been detained by police on previous occasions should be key targets for such multi-agency, preventative work, says the report.