What act provides special rights and protections for children when questioned or arrested?

The correct answer is associated with the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Regulation 2016, which outlines specific rights and protections for children during questioning and arrest. This regulation ensures that when law enforcement officers engage with minors, they must adhere to additional responsibilities that recognize the vulnerability and special needs of younger individuals.

Key protections include ensuring that a parent or guardian is present during questioning, as well as providing clear and age-appropriate communication about their rights. These measures help safeguard children against intimidation and ensure they understand the process they are involved in, which is crucial given that children may not fully comprehend legal proceedings as an adult would.

Other acts, while relevant to the overall framework regarding young offenders, do not focus specifically on the rights and protections during questioning or arrest. The Children (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987, for example, primarily addresses how children are treated within the broader criminal justice process rather than the immediate rights during arrest or interrogation. The Crimes (Sentencing Procedures) Act 1999 deals more with the consequences of crimes rather than protections during arrest. The Young Offenders Act 1997 is focused on diverting young offenders away from the formal court system, which is another area but does not directly impact the rights during the questioning