Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance has been provided to the Police to ensure they are investigating the safeguarding concerns of children who are breaching lockdown measures by being outside of their home.

The police continue to apply the usual safeguarding and referral procedures, working in partnership with agencies such as social services and local authorities to support vulnerable children. This has not changed under the new social distancing measures. The National Police Chief’s Council and College of Policing have issued guidance to forces that specifically asks officers to consider safeguarding issues and ensure the child’s welfare.