Under LEPRA, which rule applies to children in police procedures?

• A. A parent/guardian must be notified if a child is taken into custody
• B. Under 14s can be photographed without a court order
• C. A child can be strip searched if accompanied by a parent
• D. Children can be held in the same cell as an adult

Answer: (A)

When police procedures involve children, protecting their welfare is central. Under LEPRA, if a child is taken into custody, police must notify a parent or guardian as soon as practicable. This requirement ensures the child has immediate support from a responsible adult, helps safeguard the child’s rights, and provides appropriate oversight of the process. The other options conflict with those protections: photographs of very young children or without proper authority aren’t automatically permitted; strip searching a child is highly restricted and typically not allowed; and keeping children in the same cell as adults is unsafe and generally prohibited. So, the mandatory notification of a parent or guardian is the rule that applies.