ABSTRACT
Under ss 14 and 15 of the 1998 Act, local authorities have the power to give notice of local child curfew schemes in certain areas. This will enable them to apply a ban on children under the age of 10 from being in specific public places between the hours of 9 pm and 6 am, unless under the effective control of a parent or a responsible person aged at least 18. These notices may specify different hours in relation to different age groups and the total period of such bans may not exceed 90 days. The curfew notices may be effected by posting them in one or more conspicuous places within the specified area and in any other such manner as the local authority considers to be desirable in order to publicise the notice. This could include distributing circulars through letter boxes or advertising in local newspapers. These curfews will be imposed if the relevant local authority considers it necessary for the purpose of maintaining order in response to complaints from local residents. These measures have been enacted because of increasing concerns regarding young children engaging in generally disruptive behaviour by being allowed to roam the streets unsupervised at night and placing themselves at risk. However, a rather protracted set of procedures and consultations have to be complied with before such curfews can be authorised.
