Can children be arrested?

Yes, the police can arrest children if they believe they have committed a crime. Typically, police stations will have a child welfare protection officer and in each district and city, there will be at least one special juvenile police unit. When the police arrest a child on suspicion of committing a crime, this should normally be done by a Special Juvenile Police Unit. If a regular police officer arrests the child, then the child should immediately be placed under the care of the Juvenile Police Unit, or a designated Child Welfare Police Officer.

The police can also arrest children who have run away from an institution where they were placed under the Juvenile Justice Act, such as an Observation Home, Special Home or Place of Safety.

In certain circumstances (for example, with respect to habitual thieves), the Magistrate can order that adults be detained in prison if they do not execute a bond for good behaviour or peace. Even though arrests of children are allowed, the Magistrate cannot order a similar detention with respect to children.