Police have the power to arrest parents who have allowed their children to become obese.
While very rare, police will use powers from the Children’s Act 1933 if other attempts to protect the child have been unsuccessful.
MM took to the streets to find out what Mancunians think of parents who allow their children to become overweight – and if they should be prosecuted for it.
Should parents who allow their child to become obese be prosecuted for cruelty or neglect?
| Option | Result |
| Yes | 85% |
| No | 15% |
Lindsey Kerrigan, a 27-year-old bank worker who lives in the Northern Quarter, said: “I think you would have to take the circumstances into consideration, but generally, yes.”
Ruth Konruszewski, 33, from Stretford, who works with Lindsey at Bank of New York, said: “I have a child and I wouldn’t want her to be obese. Parents have a responsibility to monitor their child’s weight.”
Hannah Sargent, 29, who works at Allianz Insurance in Piccadilly, said: “I think arresting someone for it is harsh. I think it’s an educational thing more than anything.
“Obviously if you don’t know much about nutrition it’s hard. But they should have nipped it in the bud.”
Karen Bostock, 35, who also works at Allianz, said: “If they’ve had advice and guidance about nutrition then I have to say yes, it is cruel.”
Faza Rehman, a 17-year-old student from Bury, said: “Yes, I think it is neglect. Children should be active and it’s a parent’s job to ensure that happens.”
Wally Volters, 50, an office manager from Chicago visiting the city, said: “I would say it’s more criminal than cruel.”
Phil, a 27 bus driver from Eccles joked: “I just feed my kids – ‘have a plate of chips’!
“I suppose it is a bit cruel though, yeah.”
Alan, 24, also a bus driver from Gorton, said: “Big parents do tend to have big kids, so I don’t know. I do think it might be something more genetic than down to diet. But I would say it is cruel.”
Catherine Goswell, 49, an administration worker from Hale, said: “At the end of the day parents have a responsibility to keep their children safe, healthy and away from harm.
“If the parents are endangering a child – which being obese arguably is – then it is the duty of society to step in to help the child and punish the parents.”
