Explanatory Memorandum

Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016

2016 CHAPTER 18

9 May 2016

Commentary on Sections

Part 9 – Power of Police to Remove Person to Place of Safety

Section 156 - Annual records

This section provides that annual records must be kept by the police of the number of persons detained in hospital and the number of persons detained in police stations under this Part. The section further specifies that the police must keep specific records regarding children detained at hospitals and police stations under Part 9, as well as the final disposals in respect of those children.  “Children” is defined for these purposes as any persons under the age of 18. Regulations may provide what records should be kept relating to each child who ceases to be detained under this Part.

This section also specifies that this information must be included within the annual reports published by the police under section 58(1) of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000.