Suicides linked to detention of 17-year-olds held as adults
The mother of a vulnerable teenager who killed herself after she was arrested has told BBC Newsnight that her daughter might still be alive if the law had been changed.
Seventeen-year-olds who are arrested, detained and interviewed in police custody in England and Wales are currently treated as adults, despite a High Court ruling in April 2013 saying they should be given the same rights as children.
The families of three teenagers who each died shortly after leaving custody have written to the Home Secretary Theresa May criticising what they say are the "false promises" she made after that judgement last year.
Jim Reed reports for Newsnight.
15 Jul 2014
- From the section UK