(1)Where a child is arrested, the police shall under justifiable circumstances caution and release the child.

(2)The police shall be empowered to dispose of cases at their discretion without recourse to formal court hearings in accordance with criteria to be laid down by the Inspector General of Police.

(3)As soon as possible after arrest, the parent or guardian of the child and the secretary for children's affairs of the local government council for the area in which the child resides shall be informed of the arrest by the police.

(4)The police shall ensure that the parent or guardian of the child is present at the time of the police interview with the child except where it is not in the best interests of the child.

(5)Where a parent or guardian of a child cannot be immediately contacted or cannot be contacted at all, a probation and social welfare officer or an authorised person shall be informed as soon as possible after the child's arrest so that he or she can attend the police interview.

(6)Where a child is arrested with or without a warrant and cannot be immediately taken before a court, the police officer to whom the child is brought shall inquire into the case and, unless the charge is a serious one, or it is necessary in the interests of a child to remove him or her from association with any person, or the officer has reason to believe that the release of the child will defeat the ends of justice, shall release the child on bond on his or her own recognisance or on a recognisance entered into by the parent of the child or other responsible person.

(7)Where release on bond is not granted, a child shall be detained in police custody for a maximum of twenty-four hours or until the child is taken before a court, whichever is sooner.

(8)A child shall not be detained with an adult person.

(9)A female child shall, while in custody, be under the care of a woman officer.