In this study, the Parliamentary Ombud has examined how children’s rights are safeguarded when children are arrested by the police and placed in police custody. The background for the study was a reported increase in the use of police custody for children in Norway from 2018.
The study comprised a visit over the course of two days to Oslo Police District (11–12 May 2021). This is the largest police district in the country and the police district in which the highest number of children are placed in police custody, in total. Furthermore, we obtained information regarding the use of police custody from the remaining 11 police districts.
Our data collection revealed that national figures for the use of police custody for minors in Norway remain uncertain. This is concerning and a matter which the Parliamentary Ombud will be following up with the central authorities.