Children and Young Persons Act 1969

32 Detention of absentees. E+W

(1) If any of the following persons, that is to say—

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F1

(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F2

(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F3

(d) a person sent to a remand home, special reception centre or training school or committed to the care of a fit person under the M1 Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968 [F4 (but not deemed by virtue of Schedule 8 to the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 to be the subject of a care order within the meaning of that Order)],

is absent from premises at which he is required by. . . F5 the relevant Northern Ireland authority to live, or as the case may be is absent from the home, remand home, special reception centre or training school, at a time when he is not permitted by. . . F5 the relevant Northern Ireland authority to be absent from it, he may be arrested by a constable anywhere in the United Kingdom or the Channel Islands without a warrant and shall if so arrested be conducted, at the expense of the authority. . . F5 , to the premises or other place aforesaid or such other premises as the authority. . . F5 may direct.

[F6 (1A) If a child or young person is absent, without the consent of the responsible person—

(a) from a place of safety to which he has been taken under [F7 paragraph 7(4) of Schedule 7 to the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000]; or

(b) from local authority accommodation—

(i) in which he is required to live under [F8 paragraph 5 of Schedule 6 to that Act]; or

(ii) to which he has been remanded under [F9 paragraph 7(5) of Schedule 7 to that Act][F10 ; or

(iii) to which he has been remanded or committed under section 23(1) of this Act]

he may be arrested by a constable anywhere in the United Kingdom or Channel Islands without a warrant.

(1B) A person so arrested shall be conducted to—

(a) the place of safety;

(b) the local authority accommodation; or

(c) such other place as the responsible person may direct, at the responsible person’s expense.

(1C) In this section “the responsible person” means the person who made the arrangements under [F11 paragraph 7(4) of Schedule 7 to the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000] or, as the case may be, the authority designated under][F12 paragraph 5 of Schedule 6 to that Act, paragraph 7(8) of Schedule 7 to that Act or section][F13 23 of this Act.]

(2) If a magistrates’ court is satisfied by information on oath that there are reasonable grounds for believing that a person specified in the information can produce a person who is absent as mentioned in subsection (1) [F14 or (1A)] of this section, the court may issue a summons directed to the person so specified and requiring him to attend and produce the absent person before the court; and a person who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with any such requirement shall, without prejudice to any liability apart from this subsection, be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine of an amount not exceeding [F15 level 3 on the standard scale].

In the application of this subsection to Northern Ireland, “magistrates court” means a magistrates’ court within the meaning of the [F16 M2 Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981].

[F17 (2A) Without prejudice to its powers under subsection (2) of this section, a magistrates’ court (within the meaning of that subsection) may, if it is satisfied by information on oath that there are reasonable grounds for believing that a person who is absent as mentioned in subsection (1) or [F18 (1A)(a) or (b)(i) or (ii)] of this section is in premises specified in the information, issue a search warrant authorising a constable to search the premises for that person.

(2B) A court shall not issue a summons or search warrant under subsection (2) or (2A) of this section in any case where the person who is absent is a person to whom subsection (1A) of this section applies, unless the information referred to in the said subsection (2) or (2A) is given by the [F19 responsible person].]

(3) A person who knowingly compels, persuades, incites or assists another person to become or continue to be absent as mentioned in subsection (1) [F20 or (1A)] of this section shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine of an amount not exceeding [F21 level 5 on the standard scale] or both.

(4) The reference to a constable in [F22 subsections (1),(1A) and (2A)] of this section includes a reference to a person who is a constable under the law of any part of the United Kingdom, to a member of the police in Jersey and to an officer of police within the meaning of section 43 of the Larceny (Guernsey) Law 1958 or any corresponding law for the time being in force, and in [F22 subsection (1)]“the relevant Northern Ireland authority” means in the case of a person committed to the care of a fit person, the fit person, and in the case of a person sent to a remand home, special reception centre or training school, the person in charge of that home or centre or the managers of that school.

(5) Nothing in this section authorises the arrest in Northern Ireland of, or the taking there of any proceedings in respect of, such a person as is mentioned in paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of this section.

Extent Information

E1 This version of this provision extends to England and Wales only; a separate version has been created for Scotland and Northern Ireland only

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 32(1)(a) repealed by Child Care Act 1980 (c. 5, SIF 20), ss. 89, 90(1), Sch. 6

F2 S. 32(1)(b) repealed by Children Act 1975 (c. 72, SIF 49:9, 10), s. 68(1)(2)

F3 S. 32(1)(c) repealed by Child Care Act 1980 (c. 5, SIF 20), ss. 89, 90(1), Sch. 6

F4 Words in s. 32(1)(d) inserted (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/756, art. 7(4); S.R. (N.I.) 1996/297, art. 3

F5 Words repealed by Child Care Act 1980 (c. 5, SIF 20), ss. 89, 90(1) Sch. 6

F6 S. 32(1A)–(1C) substituted (14.10.1991) for subsection (1A) (which was inserted by Children Act 1975 (c. 72, SIF 49:9, 10) s. 68(1)(3) ) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(4)(6), Sch. 12 para. 27(1),(with Sch. 14 paras. 1(1), 30); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

F7 Words in s. 32(1A)(a) substituted (25.8.2000) by 2000 c. 6, ss. 165, 168(1), Sch. 9 para. 41(2)(a)

F8 Words in s. 32(1A)(b)(i) substituted (25.8.2000) by 2000 c. 6, ss. 165, 168(1), Sch. 9 para. 41(2)(b)

F9 Words in s. 32(1A)(b)(ii) substituted (25.8.2000) by 2000 c. 6, ss. 165, 168(1), Sch. 9 para. 41(2)(c)

F10 Words in s. 32(1A)(b) substituted (E.W.) (5.9.1995) by 1995 c. 16, s. 2(2)(a); S.I. 1995/2021, art. 2

F11 Words in s. 32(1C) substituted (25.8.2000) by 2000 c. 6, ss. 165, 168(1), Sch. 9 para. 41(3)(a)

F12 Words in s. 32(1C) substituted (25.8.2000) by 2000 c. 6, ss. 165, 168(1), Sch. 9 para. 41(3)(b)

F13 Words in s. 32(1C) inserted (14.10.1991) by Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41, SIF 76:1), s. 116, Sch. 16 para. 5(3); S.I. 1991/1883, art. 3, Sch.

F14 Words inserted by Children Act 1975 (c. 72, SIF 49:9, 10), s. 68(1)(4)

F15 Words substituted by virtue of Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46 and S.I. 1984/703 (N.I. 3), art. 6

F16 Words substituted by S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I. 26), Sch. 6 para. 17

F17 S. 32(2A)(2B) inserted by Children Act 1975 (c. 72, SIF 49:9, 10), s. 68(1)(5)

F18 Words in s. 32(2A) substituted (E.W.) (5.9.1995) by 1995 c. 16, s. 2(2)(b); S.I. 1995/2021, art. 2

F19 Words in s. 32(2B) substituted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(4)(6), Sch. 12 para. 27(2), (with Sch. 14 paras. 1(1), 30); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

F20 Words inserted by Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Act 1983 (c. 41, SIF 113:3), Sch. 2 para. 16

F21 Words substituted by virtue of Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46, Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), ss. 289F, 289G (as inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 54) and S.I. 1984/703 (N.I. 3), art. 6

F22 Words substituted by Children Act 1975 (c. 72, SIF 49:9, 10), s. 68(1)(7)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 32(3) excluded (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 51(5)–(7), (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

S. 32(3) restricted (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/755, art. 70(6)(7)(d); S.R. (N.I.) 1996/297, art. 2(2)

Marginal Citations

M1 1968 c. 34. (N.I.)

M2 S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I. 26).

32 Detention of absentees. S+N.I.

(1) If any of the following persons, that is to say—

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F23

(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F24

(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F25

(d) a person sent to a remand home, special reception centre or training school or committed to the care of a fit person under the M3 Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968 [F26 (but not deemed by virtue of Schedule 8 to the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 to be the subject of a care order within the meaning of that Order)],

is absent from premises at which he is required by. . . F27 the relevant Northern Ireland authority to live, or as the case may be is absent from the home, remand home, special reception centre or training school, at a time when he is not permitted by. . . F27 the relevant Northern Ireland authority to be absent from it, he may be arrested by a constable anywhere in the United Kingdom or the Channel Islands without a warrant and shall if so arrested be conducted, at the expense of the authority. . . F27 , to the premises or other place aforesaid or such other premises as the authority. . . F27 may direct.

[F28 (1A) If a child or young person is absent, without the consent of the responsible person—

(a) from a place of safety to which he has been taken [F29 paragraph 7(4) of Schedule 7 to the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000]; or

(b) from local authority accommodation—

(i) in which he is required to live under [F30 paragraph 5 of Schedule 6 to that Act]; or

(ii) to which he has been remanded under [F31 paragraph 7(5) of Schedule 7 to that Act] ,

he may be arrested by a constable anywhere in the United Kingdom or Channel Islands without a warrant.

(1B) A person so arrested shall be conducted to—

(a) the place of safety;

(b) the local authority accommodation; or

(c) such other place as the responsible person may direct, at the responsible person’s expense.

(1C) In this section “the responsible person” means the person who made the arrangements under [F32 paragraph 7(4) of Schedule 7 to the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000] or, as the case may be, the authority designated under [F33 paragraph 5 of Schedule 6 to that Act, paragraph 7(8) of Schedule 7 to that Act or section] 23 of this Act.]

(2) If a magistrates’ court is satisfied by information on oath that there are reasonable grounds for believing that a person specified in the information can produce a person who is absent as mentioned in subsection (1) [F34 or (1A)] of this section, the court may issue a summons directed to the person so specified and requiring him to attend and produce the absent person before the court; and a person who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with any such requirement shall, without prejudice to any liability apart from this subsection, be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine of an amount not exceeding [F35 level 3 on the standard scale].

In the application of this subsection to Northern Ireland, “magistrates court” means a magistrates’ court within the meaning of the [F36 M4 Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981].

[F37 (2A) Without prejudice to its powers under subsection (2) of this section, a magistrates’ court (within the meaning of that subsection) may, if it is satisfied by information on oath that there are reasonable grounds for believing that a person who is absent as mentioned in subsection (1) or (1A) of this section is in premises specified in the information, issue a search warrant authorising a constable to search the premises for that person.

(2B) A court shall not issue a summons or search warrant under subsection (2) or (2A) of this section in any case where the person who is absent is a person to whom subsection (1A) of this section applies, unless the information referred to in the said subsection (2) or (2A) is given by the [F38 responsible person].]

(3) A person who knowingly compels, persuades, incites or assists another person to become or continue to be absent as mentioned in subsection (1) [F39 or (1A)] of this section shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine of an amount not exceeding [F40 level 5 on the standard scale] or both.

(4) The reference to a constable in [F41 subsections (1),(1A) and (2A)] of this section includes a reference to a person who is a constable under the law of any part of the United Kingdom, to a member of the police in Jersey and to an officer of police within the meaning of section 43 of the Larceny (Guernsey) Law 1958 or any corresponding law for the time being in force, and in [F41 subsection (1)]“the relevant Northern Ireland authority” means in the case of a person committed to the care of a fit person, the fit person, and in the case of a person sent to a remand home, special reception centre or training school, the person in charge of that home or centre or the managers of that school.

(5) Nothing in this section authorises the arrest in Northern Ireland of, or the taking there of any proceedings in respect of, such a person as is mentioned in paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of this section.

Extent Information

E2 This version of this provision extends to Scotland and Northern Ireland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales only.

Textual Amendments

F23 S. 32(1)(a) repealed by Child Care Act 1980 (c. 5, SIF 20), ss. 89, 90(1), Sch. 6

F24 S. 32(1)(b) repealed by Children Act 1975 (c. 72, SIF 49:9, 10), s. 68(1)(2)

F25 S. 32(1)(c) repealed by Child Care Act 1980 (c. 5, SIF 20), ss. 89, 90(1), Sch. 6

F26 Words in s. 32(1)(d) inserted (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/756, art. 7(4); S.R. (N.I.) 1996/297, art. 3

F27 Words repealed by Child Care Act 1980 (c. 5, SIF 20), ss. 89, 90(1) Sch. 6

F28 S. 32(1A)–(1C) substituted (14.10.1991) for subsection (1A) (which was inserted by Children Act 1975 (c. 72, SIF 49:9, 10) s. 68(1)(3) ) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(4)(6), Sch. 12 para. 27(1),(with Sch. 14 paras. 1(1), 30); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

F29 Words in s. 32(1A)(a) substituted (25.8.2000) by 2000 c. 6, ss. 165, 168(1), Sch. 9 para. 41(2)(a)

F30 Words in s. 32(1A)(b) substituted (25.8.2000) by 2000 c. 6, ss. 165, 168(1), Sch. 9 para. 41(2)(b)

F31 Words in s. 32(1A)(b)(ii) substituted (25.8.2000) by virtue of 2000 c. 6, ss. 165, 168(1), Sch. 9 para. 41(2)(c)

F32 Words in s. 32(1C) substituted (25.8.2000) by 2000 c. 6, ss. 165, 168(1), Sch. 9 para. 41(3)(a)

F33 Words in s. 32(1C) substituted (25.8.2000) by 2000 c. 6, ss. 165, 168(1), Sch. 9 para. 41(3)(b)

F34 Words inserted by Children Act 1975 (c. 72, SIF 49:9, 10), s. 68(1)(4)

F35 Words substituted by virtue of Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46 and S.I. 1984/703 (N.I. 3), art. 6

F36 Words substituted by S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I. 26), Sch. 6 para. 17

F37 S. 32(2A)(2B) inserted by Children Act 1975 (c. 72, SIF 49:9, 10), s. 68(1)(5)

F38 Words in s. 32(2B) substituted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(4)(6), Sch. 12 para. 27(2), (with Sch. 14 paras. 1(1), 30); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

F39 Words inserted by Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Act 1983 (c. 41, SIF 113:3), Sch. 2 para. 16

F40 Words substituted by virtue of Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46, Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), ss. 289F, 289G (as inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 54) and S.I. 1984/703 (N.I. 3), art. 6

F41 Words substituted by Children Act 1975 (c. 72, SIF 49:9, 10), s. 68(1)(7)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 S. 32(3) excluded (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 51(5)–(7), (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

S. 32(3) restricted (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/755, art. 70(6)(7)(d); S.R. (N.I.) 1996/297, art. 2(2)

S. 32(3) restricted (S.) (12.12.1996 for certain purposes and 1.4.1997 for all remaining purposes) by 1995 c. 36, s. 38(4)(b) (with ss. 90, 103(1)); S.I. 1996/3201, arts. 3(1)(7)

Marginal Citations

M3 1968 c. 34. (N.I.)

M4 S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I. 26).