Young people and vulnerable adults

You have additional rights in police custody if you're under 18 or a vulnerable adult (over 16 with a mental illness, learning disability, brain injury or dementia).

There are different people who can be at the police station to support you, for example your parents, solicitor, social worker or an appropriate adult.

Young people under 18

The police try to avoid bringing young people to police stations. But the police do have the same powers to question young people as they do adults.

Young people under 16 (or 16 and 17 year olds who are on a compulsory supervision order)

Children under 12 cannot be arrested by the police.

If you're 12 or over, the police must tell your parent or guardian that you're in police custody, even if you don't ask them to.

Your parent or guardian must attend the police station and be with you when the police interview you. They can ask another family member or friend to attend instead, if appropriate.

The police will ask a social worker or another professional to visit you instead if:

• your parent or guardian isn't available
• the police are concerned about your wellbeing
• contacting your parent or guardian will affect the investigation

You cannot be interviewed by the police without a solicitor being in the room with you.

If you've been accused of a serious crime, it may be reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration.

Find out more about the age of criminal responsibility and what happens if a young person gets in trouble with the police.

Young people aged 16 or 17

You have the right for an adult (like your parent or someone else you know over 18) to be told you're in police custody. They can visit you at the police station if you want them to. They can only visit you to offer comfort or support. Their reason for visiting cannot be to socialise.

The police can ask a social worker or another professional to visit you instead if:

• the adult you name is not available
• the adult may affect your wellbeing if they visit you
• contacting the adult will affect the investigation

If you do not want an adult told about your arrest, you must use advice from a solicitor.

You can choose not to use a solicitor, but only if the adult you name agrees to this.

Find out more about what happens when a young person gets in trouble with the police.

Vulnerable adults

The police can contact an 'appropriate adult' to come to the station to help you and be in the room while the police question you.

If the police think you need the help of an appropriate adult, they can get you one, even if you do not ask.

An appropriate adult can help you understand what is happening and communicate with the police. They cannot give you legal advice so you must use a solicitor too.