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What is the curfew for children under 16?

Under the Child and Family Services Act there are provisions for Police to apprehend a child under sixteen from midnight to 6am.

Under section 5, no parent of a child less than sixteen years of age shall permit the child to:

  • Loiter in a public place between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m.; or
  • Be in a place of public entertainment between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m., unless the parent accompanies the child or authorizes a specified individual eighteen years of age or older to accompany the child.

Police may take a child home or to place of safety:

  • A peace officer may apprehend the child without a warrant… and take them home or to a place of safety.

If a child appears to be under sixteen and/or the police believe the child is under the age of sixteen police may still apprehend.