Child Protection Procedures - East Ayrshire Council

2.4 Police
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
Whenever there is a suspicion that a crime or offence has been
committed against a child, or is still being committed, the Police
should be informed immediately so that the investigation can be
commenced, witnesses interviewed and evidence, which may include
photographs of the injuries collected without delay.
If a Police Officer is called to a scene at which a child appears to be
in need of urgent medical attention, arrangements should be made to
transport the child immediately to the Accident and Emergency
Department of a hospital. Thereafter, and in all other cases, the
Senior CID Officer on duty, who will be responsible for liaison with
the Social Work Department about arrangements for any forensic
medical examination, should be informed.
In the majority of cases of child abuse, a criminal offence may have
been committed. In such cases, the Police have a statutory duty to
investigate the circumstances and report the facts to the Procurator
Fiscal. The Police will also simultaneously report the facts to the
Children’s Reporter regarding children who are found to be
vulnerable, whether or not there are grounds for the Police and any
decision to prosecute individuals, which is the remit of the Procurator
Fiscal. Police involvement does not automatically result in an alleged
offender going to Court. The role of the Children’s Reporter is to
protect the child and the Children’s Reporter may proceed with the
case whether or not there are grounds for a criminal prosecution.
The investigation of all cases will be carried out as far as possible by
an officer of the Female Child Unit, but in an emergency, this does
not preclude the attendance of a uniformed officer in the first
instance. Full support is always available from the Female Child Unit
based at either 10, St Marnock Street, Kilmarnock KA1 1PJ or 1,
King Street, Ayr KA8 OBU, dependent on the georgraphical area in
which the child or young person resides. Frequently, members of
this Unit will undertake the complete investigation. However, in
cases where there is a joint investigation with the Social Work
Department, planning must take place to negotiate who does what
and when, in order to ensure clarity of respective roles and
responsibilities.
If a child has died from the injury or neglect, the procedures laid
down in regard to murder enquiries will be set in motion.
Strathclyde Police are committed to a policy of co-operation with the
other Child Protection agencies to ensure that any investigations are
carried out in a sensitive, sympathetic and victim-centred manner.
To this end, there will be consultation and a sharing of information
towards co-ordinated response which, in most cases, will involve joint
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