What is police protection?

Police protection allows the police to take a child away from a dangerous situation or to stop a child being moved from a safe place, such as a hospital.

Police protection powers are only used in exceptional circumstances where there is not enough time to seek an emergency protection order or for reasons relating to the immediate safety of a child. If there is a need to take a child into protection, but there is no immediate danger, an emergency protection order should be used.

Police protection cannot last longer than 72 hours and if the concern about the child is not sorted out by this time, Children's Services may decide to apply for an emergency protection order in respect of the young person.

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