When someone is arrested they are given a police caution. This is a warning that anything they say can be used in evidence if a case goes to court.
Children who go to the police station for a voluntary police interview will also be given the police caution.
A caution can also be an official warning given by the police when someone admits a minor offence instead of going to court. Children who admit an offence can be given a youth caution or youth conditional caution. A youth caution or youth conditional caution is part of a child’s criminal record.