Interviewing suspects https://www.hse.gov.uk/enforce/enforcementguide/investigation/witness-questioning.htm
Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) and the Codes
When should you conduct an interview under caution?
Interviewing a body corporate (e.g. a company)
Interviewing a partnership or individual partners
Cautions
Interviews under caution (commonly known in HSE as “PACE interviews”)
Records of interviews under caution
Legal advice
Conducting the interview
Significant statement(s) or silence(s) from the suspect
Unsolicited comments
Oppressive interview techniques
Breaks
Ending the interview
Audio-recorded interview under caution
PACE Code E
Equipment
Recording media
Recording the interview
Concluding the audio-recorded interview under caution
Non audio-recorded interviews under caution – written record
Written statements under caution
Record of audio-recorded interview – interview transcripts and summaries (LP75)
Tape/CD Security
Breach of the Codes
Pre-interview disclosure
Interview by letter/correspondence
Powers of arrest
Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) and the Codes
1. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (“PACE”) is primarily concerned with the powers and duties of the police, the rights of suspects and the admissibility of evidence. Seven Codes of Practice have been adopted under this Act, including Code C – Requirements for the detention, treatment and questioning of suspects not related to terrorism in police custody, and Code E – Revised code of practice on audio recording interviews with suspects.1 Section 67(9) of PACE places a duty on persons other than police officers “who are charged with the duty of investigating offences or charging offenders” to have regard to any relevant provisions of the Codes of Practice.2 You should be familiar with the provisions of the Codes, and follow them when you are questioning suspects.3
When should you conduct an interview under caution?
2. There is no express legal requirement that a person suspected of having committed an offence must be interviewed under caution before any decision as to whether to prosecute is taken. However, investigators do have a duty to allow a suspect the opportunity to answer the allegations against them and give their own account before a decision on prosecution is made. An interview under caution may provide:
important evidence against the suspect, which you would otherwise be unable to obtain;
important information revealing further lines of inquiry;
relevant information to be considered in the prosecution decision
3. Therefore, you need to consider throughout an investigation whether you need to conduct an interview under caution. In particular, when you reach the end of your investigation, you need to consider whether you have sufficient evidence to make a decision. If not, you should invite the suspect to an interview under caution if that interview could provide the additional evidence you need. If you do not require further evidence, you can provide them with the opportunity to respond to the case against them by seeking representations in writing.
4. Once a person has been charged (served with a summons) or informed that they will be prosecuted, you should not question them further in relation to the offence, unless such questions are absolutely necessary:
for the purpose of preventing or minimising harm or loss to some other person or to the public;
for clearing up an ambiguity in a previous answer or statement;
in the interests of justice in order to give the person an opportunity to comment on information concerning the offence which has since come to light.
Before any such questions are put to a person, they should be cautioned again. They should also be reminded that they have a right to seek legal advice 5.
5. When setting up an interview under caution, a letter should be sent inviting the person, or an authorised representative in the case of a company (see below), to attend an interview under caution at an HSE office. You should usually offer two alternative dates, and in addition give the suspect the option of suggesting a further date.
6. If a suspect declines the opportunity to attend or you do not conduct an interview under caution for any other reason, you will not be able to verbally ask the suspect for their representations. Instead, you should write to the suspect, inviting him/her to make any written representations relating to the investigation or the prospect of prosecution. See also Views of the potential defendant and Interview by letter/correspondence below.
7. A suspect is not obliged to accept your invitation and may therefore refuse to attend. If they do so, this can be brought to the court’s attention at the time of sentencing (if they plead guilty or are convicted at trial), as the extent to which they co-operated with the investigation is relevant at that stage.
8. If you receive no response to your invitation, you should write to the suspect again, pointing out that you have not received a response and that you are concluding that they do not wish to attend for an interview.
9. You should make sure you have the correct address. If absolutely necessary, you can telephone the suspect to check their address only.
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Interviewing a body corporate (e.g. a company)
10. In the event that a body corporate (e.g. a company) is invited to attend an interview under caution, you should ask the body corporate to nominate a person to attend the interview under caution to answer questions on its behalf.
11. It sometimes happens that a company (or other body corporate) that is invited to nominate a representative to attend an interview under caution nominates a person who you suspect may have committed an offence in their individual capacity (e.g. as a director or senior manager pursuant to HSWA section 37) and who you may therefore intend to interview under caution as an individual. Where this happens, the company should be asked if there is anyone else who they can nominate to attend instead to speak as the company’s nominated representative.
12. If the company cannot nominate a different person (e.g. because there is only one director), there should be two separate interviews under caution, one of the company (through its nominated representative) and one of the same individual in their personal capacity. The order in which the interviews are conducted will depend on the circumstances of the investigation. You must never conduct just one interview where the individual is asked to answer questions both on his/her behalf and on behalf of the company – it would be impossible to identify which answers are admissible against each and the entire interview is likely to be inadmissible in any later court proceedings.
13. Where two interviews are to take place, it may be possible to conduct both interviews on the same day for the convenience of all concerned, but this may not be possible in more complex cases. It should always be made clear in advance in which capacity a person is being interviewed, either in his/her capacity as an individual or as the company’s nominated representative. Where both interviews are being conducted on the same day, it should be absolutely clear that you are conducting two separate interviews. A separate set of tapes/CDs should be used for each interview. You should make it completely clear, when cautioning at the start of each interview, in what capacity the person is being interviewed.
Interviewing a partnership or individual partners
14. Where investigators suspect a partnership (as opposed to an LLP) of an offence in circumstances where criminal liability may attach to the partnership itself and the individual partners it should always be made clear in advance in which capacity a person is being interviewed, either in his/her capacity as an individual or as the partnership’s nominated representative. Where both interviews are being conducted on the same day, it should be absolutely clear that you are conducting two separate interviews. A separate set of tapes/CDs should be used for each interview. You should make it completely clear, when cautioning at the start of each interview in what capacity the person is being interviewed. Where the legal status of the partnership is in issue inspectors should refer to HSE’s Legal Adviser’s Office for further advice.
Cautions
15. When there are grounds to suspect that a person has committed an offence, you must caution them before any questions about it are put to them to ensure that the answers (or any failure to answer) are capable of being admissible in evidence in a prosecution.
16. If you put further questions to a person at a later time you must caution again.
17. “Grounds for suspicion” are more than vague unsubstantiated feelings or a hunch; they require some basis, but this can be less than evidence supportive of a prima facie case. 7
18. A caution is not necessary when you are asking questions for other purposes (for example, solely to establish someone’s identity or their ownership of a certain vehicle). You should remember, however, that what starts out as exploratory questioning may, as a result of the answer given to preliminary questions, become questioning about a person’s involvement or suspected involvement in a criminal offence. You must then immediately issue a caution and comply with the other relevant provisions of Code C. 8
19. The caution must be in the following terms:
“You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.”
20. You should ensure that the person understands the caution. You should be prepared to explain what the caution means if the suspect is unclear. At the same time as the caution, you should say that the person is not under arrest or obliged to remain, and may obtain legal advice.
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Interviews under caution (commonly known in HSE as “PACE interviews”)
21. An “interview” is defined by Code C 9 as the questioning of a person regarding their involvement or suspected involvement in a criminal offence or offences. Such an interview must always be carried out under caution. Therefore, whenever you caution someone and question them about their involvement in an offence, you are conducting an interview under caution within the meaning of Code C.
22. The suspect’s responses to questions put to him/her during an interview under caution conducted in accordance with Code C may be used as evidence against him/her in any subsequent criminal proceedings. This is explained to the suspect by the caution. Evidence obtained during the interview can only be used against the person being questioned; it cannot be used in evidence against another person (for example, a co-defendant), although it may suggest additional lines of enquiry.
23. You should note that an informal discussion can be an “interview” within the meaning of Code C 10. A conversation will constitute an interview if a suspect is being asked to incriminate himself 11. Also, since Code C refers to “any questioning”, a single question can amount to an interview 12.
24. If you fail to caution a person but still question them about their involvement/suspected involvement in an offence, this is still an “interview”. However, any evidence contained in the interview may not be admissible.
25. An interview under caution should always be audio-recorded unless the limited exceptions in PACE Code E apply (see below). This, and the other requirements of a PACE interview (see paragraphs 29 onwards) mean that although there is no express legal provision requiring a suspect not under arrest to be interviewed at a particular place (such as an HSE office), in practice it will be very difficult to conduct such an interview elsewhere (for example at the site where the incident took place) in a way which will render it admissible in criminal proceedings.
26. If a specialist inspector is to attend an interview under caution, the fact of his/her specialist expertise should be disclosed to the suspect and legal adviser. Generally, a specialist who has been appointed to act as an expert in any potential prosecution (or who is intended to fulfil that role) should not attend an interview under caution as this may compromise his/her independence. See Expert evidence – The expert for further guidance.
Records of interviews under caution
27. An accurate record must be made of every interview with a person suspected of an offence (i.e. every interview under caution) 13. This record will usually take the form of an audio recording pursuant to PACE Code E, the code of practice for the audio recording of interviews with suspects.
28. The record must state the place of the interview, the time it begins and ends, the time the record is made (if different), any breaks in the interview and the names of all those present.In the limited circumstances (set out in Code E 14) where audio recording cannot be used. t he record must be made on forms provided for this purpose or in the investigator’s note book,
Legal advice 15
29. Persons being interviewed in connection with offences have a right to consult privately with a solicitor. They can choose to do so in person or by telephone. You should inform the suspect of this right when you arrange the interview and before the interview starts.
30. Suspects who are not interviewed at a police station are not entitled to free legal advice under the ‘duty solicitor’ scheme. If the witness asks for legal advice, however, an interview may not continue until it has been obtained.
31. Where a solicitor has been consulted and is available, s/he must be allowed to be present at the interview.
Conducting the interview
32. The interview should be conducted sitting down and as far as possible in comfort, with proper breaks for refreshment (normal meal breaks and at least 15 minutes every two hours). 16 The interview should take place in an adequately heated, lit and ventilated room. Before the start of the interview, it is advisable to ensure that all persons present have switched off mobile telephones, pagers etc to avoid interruptions.
Significant statement(s) or silence(s) from the suspect
33. At the beginning of the interview, having first cautioned the suspect, you should put to them any significant statement(s) or silence(s) which occurred in your presence or of any other interviewing inspector before the interview and which have not been put before the suspect in a previous interview. You should ask the suspect whether they confirm or deny that earlier statement or silence and if they wish to add anything.
34. A significant statement is one which appears capable of being used in evidence against the suspect (e.g. an unsolicited comment relevant to the offence, such as an admission of guilt). A significant silence is a failure or refusal to answer a question satisfactorily when under caution (e.g. during a previous interview), which might give rise to an inference under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 17. Also see Inferences From Silence.
Unsolicited comments
35. If a suspected person makes unsolicited comments outside the context of an interview but which might be relevant to the offence, you should make a written record of the comments. You should sign the record and record the time the comment(s) were made.
36. You should also give the suspect the opportunity, where practicable, to read the record and sign it as correct or to indicate the respects in which they consider it inaccurate. If the suspect agrees the record is correct, they should be asked to endorse the record with, for example, ‘I agree this is a correct record of what was said’ and add their signature. Where the suspect disagrees with the record, you should record the details of any disagreement and ask the suspect to read these details and sign them to the effect that they accurately reflect their disagreement. Any refusal to sign should also be recorded 18
Oppressive interview techniques
37. You must not try to obtain answers by the use of oppression. Such an approach is likely to mean that any evidence obtained is inadmissible.
38. You must not indicate, except in answer to a direct question from the person being interviewed, what action HSE will take against them if they answer questions or refuse to do so 19. To do so could be seen as an oppressive approach.
Breaks 20
39. You should not leave the suspect unattended during an interview. If you take a short break and all parties remain in the room, it is not necessary to switch off the recorder. However, if you do take a break during the interview at which the audio recording is stopped, you must always announce that a break is to be taken and give the reason for it and the time, before switching off the recorder.
40. If the suspect is to leave the room during a break, you must take the tape/CD out of the recorder and seal it as if it were the end of the interview. You should continue the interview on a new tape/CD following the same procedure.
41. You should resume by announcing on record that the interview is continuing after a break, repeat the reason why the break was taken and again give the time. You should make it clear when you re-start that the suspect is still under caution and, if there is any doubt, you should give the caution again.
Ending the interview
42. The interview (or further interview) of a suspect must cease when:
all the questions you consider relevant to obtaining accurate and reliable information about the offence have been put to the suspect. This includes allowing the suspect an opportunity to give an innocent explanation and asking questions to test if the explanation is accurate and reliable (e.g. to clear up ambiguities or clarify what the suspect said);
you have taken account of any other available evidence; and
you reasonably believe there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.
Audio-recorded interview under caution
43. The purpose of audio recording an interview under caution is to ensure that the most accurate record possible can easily be made. Audibly recorded interviews are the best way to ensure that admissible evidence is collected from suspects who are interviewed. Interviews with suspects should therefore always be audio recorded. 21
PACE Code E
44. You should have regard to Code E the revised Code of Practice on Audio Recording Interviews with Suspects, as well as Code C on the Questioning and Treatment of Persons. 22 If interviews with suspects are audio recorded, the court may exclude evidence of the interview if a relevant provision of the Code is not followed.
Equipment
45. Code of Practice E provides for recording using any removable, physical audio recording medium that can be played and copied or on a secure digital network. In HSE, interviews under caution are recorded on tape or CD. Guidance on tape recording and the equipment is available in each operational office. You should read the guidance thoroughly and clarify any matters, including the operation of the machine, before arranging the interview. Only the main points are dealt with here. The equipment consists of:
a record-only recorder which simultaneously records two or three tapes or CDs, and displays and records a time elapsed signal every 10 seconds;
sealed interview tapes or sealed blank CDs;
tape or CD seals (LP73/LP73A/LP73CD);
notice to person whose interview has been audio recorded (LP74); and
record of audio-recorded interview and continuation sheets (LP75 and LP76).
Recording media
46. The tapes or CDs should be unwrapped and loaded into the machine in the sight of the suspect. 23 After the interview, one of the tapes/CDs will be sealed in the presence of the suspect and normally only opened in court.24 This is the master recording. The second recording will be used as a working copy. Where a third CD is produced, this may be given to the suspect if requested. Each office will have arrangements for tape/CD security.
47. If, during an interview, the recorder indicates the media only have a short time left, you should inform the suspect that the recording is ending and round off that part of the interview. You should unwrap and load the next set of tapes/CDs into the machine in the presence of the suspect.25
Recording the interview
48. At the start of an audio-recorded interview, you should give the place of interview, the date and time, and then introduce yourself by giving your name and post. All other persons present in the room should be asked to introduce themselves so that their voices may be identified on the recording.26
49. You should inform the suspect that, at the conclusion of the interview, you will hand them a notice explaining what will happen to the recording.
50. You should then caution the suspect, state that you are not using your s.20 powers and that the suspect is not under arrest and free to leave. You should remind the suspect of the right to seek legal advice if there is no solicitor present at the interview.27
51. The interviewee should be asked to give their full name, address, date of birth and, where the suspect is an individual, National Insurance number (as these details will be required if legal proceedings are subsequently initiated).
52. In circumstances where you are interviewing a person who has been nominated to speak on behalf of the company (in effect that person is the company for the purposes of the interview under caution), you will wish to satisfy yourself that the person has the authority to answer questions on behalf of the company. That authority can only be granted by the board, and you should ask the person attending to bring written authorisation of such that can be referred to in the interview.
53. If the suspect objects to the interview being recorded, the objection should be recorded on the media. If the objection is recorded on tape/CD or the suspect has refused to have their objections recorded, you may turn the recorder off. If you do this you should tell the suspect and explain your reasons for doing so. You will then have to make a written contemporaneous record of the interview in the manner described below.28 If the suspect objects but you reasonably consider that you can proceed to put questions to the suspect with the recorder still on, you may do so.
54. If the recording equipment fails and no replacement recorder is available, the interview may continue without being audibly recorded 29. In this situation, you will need to make a written record of the interview in the manner described below.
Concluding the audio-recorded interview under caution
55. At the end of the interview, you must offer the suspect an opportunity to clarify anything that has been said or to add anything. 30 You should then complete the notice to the person whose interview has been audio recorded (Form LP74), give the time and announce that you are now switching off the recorder. The master tape/CD must be sealed and the label signed by you, the suspect and any other persons present.31
56. After you have conducted an audio-recorded interview, you should make a note in your notebook of the fact that an audio interview has taken place, the time, duration and date, and the identification number of the recording.32
Non audio-recorded interviews under caution – written record
57. If it becomes necessary to conduct an interview under caution that is not audio recorded (e.g. where the suspect refuses to allow the interview to be recorded), you should make an accurate record during the course of the interview on form LP77, usually verbatim in question and answer form, but which must in any event accurately reflect what was said.
58. The record must state the place of the interview, the time it began and ended, the time the record was made (if different), any breaks in the interview and the names of all those present 33.
59. The fact that a caution was given, and any further cautions or reminders, should be recorded, as should the fact that the suspect was informed of the right to seek legal advice.
60. At the end of the interview, you, or another inspector who has made the interview record, should sign the record at the bottom of each page. You must also ask the witness to read through the interview record. He/she should then sign each page in the space provided to confirm his/her agreement that it is a correct and accurate record of the interview. Any alleged inaccuracies should be amended by the person interviewed, endorsed with a statement that the amendments accurately reflect the disagreement, and signed. You should record any refusal to read or sign the statement and any other persons present (for example, an appropriate adult or a solicitor) should be asked to read and sign the record instead.
Written statements under caution 34
61. Paragraph 12.13 of Code C refers to “written statements made … under caution”. Since interviews under caution in HSE are audio-recorded or (where necessary) contemporaneously recorded, and the written record is signed by the person interviewed, it is normally not necessary for a suspect to be asked to make a written statement under caution. A written statement under caution should normally be taken only at the express wish of a suspect. You may, however, ask if the person wants to make a written statement. 35 Written statements under caution should be made on form LP77. These statements should only be made in person and not in correspondence.
62. Where a suspect has requested to make a written statement under caution, they should always be invited to write down what they want to say 36. Where the person writes their own statement, it should begin:
“I make this statement of my own free will. I understand that I do not have to say anything but that it may harm my defence if I do not mention when questioned something which I later rely on in court. This statement may be given in evidence.”
63. You should not prompt a person who is writing their own statement, except to indicate what matters might be material or to question any ambiguity in the statement.
64. If the suspect wishes you to write the statement, you should take down their exact words, without editing or paraphrasing. Any questions that are necessary (e.g. to make the statement more intelligible) and the answers given should be recorded contemporaneously on the statement form. Where you write the statement, you should ask the suspect to sign the following declaration before you begin:
“I wish to make a statement. I want someone to write down what I say. I understand that I do not have to say anything but that it may harm my defence if I do not mention when questioned something which I later rely on in court. This statement may be given in evidence.”
65. When you have finished writing the statement, you should ask the suspect to read it and to make any corrections, alterations or additions, and then to sign the following certificate at the end of the statement:
“I have read the above statement, and I have been able to correct, alter or add anything I wish. This statement is true. I have made it of my own free will.”
66. If the suspect cannot read or refuses to read or to sign, you should read the statement out and ask for any corrections, alterations or additions. You should certify on the statement what has occurred.
Record of audio interview – interview transcripts and summaries (LP75)
67. Where a person has been interviewed under caution, a written record of the interview should be provided to them if they are prosecuted. You can provide a written report by creating a transcript of the interview or a summary.
68. If you provide a summary of the interview, you should make an accurate and balanced summary of the relevant parts, with important points recorded verbatim, from the working tape/CD on form LP75. It is important that the summary is fair and balanced as it is desirable that the summary is agreed with the defence for use in court. If such a summary cannot be agreed, you may have to provide a full transcript or play the original recording in court.
69. Even if you have provided a transcript or summary, you should provide a copy of the interview recording to the defence if requested.
Media Security
70. Master tapes or CDs should be stored securely in accordance with local office arrangements and their movements accounted for on the same basis as other material that may be used for evidential purposes.
71. The investigating inspector has no authority to break the seal on a master recording which is required for criminal proceedings. If it is necessary to gain access to the master recording (e.g. if the working copy becomes faulty), then you should arrange to break the seal in the presence of your Approval Officer. The defendant or their legal advisor should be informed and given an opportunity to be present. If they are present, they should be invited to reseal and sign the master recording. If either refuses or neither is present, this should be done by your Approval Officer. 37
Breach of the Codes
72. Any facts indicating a breach of a PACE code will be considered by the court, which can make a ruling on the admissibility of the evidence. 38 As has been seen above, a breach of a PACE Code may be evidence of oppression or may support a contention of unreliability. 39 It may also lead to evidence of the confession being excluded as a matter of discretion under sections 76 or 78 PACE or the common law.
73. Evidence has been excluded in the following situations: where the police made a note of an incriminating comment by the defendant but failed to show it to him or ask him to sign it; 40 where no appropriate adult was present on questioning a juvenile; 41 and where the suspect was not cautioned. 42 The evidence of a person who is not given an adequate opportunity to consult with a solicitor may be excluded. 43
Pre-interview disclosure
74. There is no obligation on an investigator to disclose the whole of the evidence against a suspect prior to interview. 44 You have a wide discretion in relation to disclosure of such information. It is appropriate to provide the suspect with some information so that the solicitor is in a position to usefully advise their client in relation to the interview under caution. 45 If you do not provide sufficient disclosure, the solicitor may advise their client to remain silent.
75 In the letter you send inviting the suspect for interview, you should specify the offence(s) that you suspect may have been committed and about which they will be questioned; a factual summary of the nature of the case against the suspect; and the specific issues and areas that you intend to cover during the interview under caution. 46 It is good practice to identify any specific documents which you want to refer to in the interview, and provide copies of any not already in the suspect’s possession.
76. You should not disclose, at this stage, copies of witness statements or the names of witnesses. If you refer to the contents of statements in the summary of facts you should say for example, “a number of witnesses saw that…”.
77. Sometimes you will receive a request from a defence solicitor for a written list of the questions that you intend to ask at the interview under caution. You should not agree to such a request, as it is highly unlikely that you will be able to provide an exhaustive list; you will wish to react to the answers given in interview by asking further questions. Y ou should provide a list of the broad areas to be explored in the interview as already mentioned above.
Interview by letter/correspondence
78. You may find that a solicitor acting for a suspect asks you to interview their client under caution by letter (i.e. that you issue the suspect with the caution in writing and then set out in the letter the questions that are to be answered). The suspect will provide answers in a letter in reply. Written answers to questions put to a suspect in a letter (which must include a caution and a recommendation that the suspect seeks legal advice before replying) may be admissible in evidence 47.
79. Generally, however, an interview under caution by letter will not be the most appropriate course of action. You may consider declining such a request for the following reasons:
it is rare that a case will be sufficiently straightforward, and the questions sufficiently narrow, to be able to reduce the interview to a short form of written questionnaire;
you might be prevented from putting supplementary questions to the suspect’s answers swiftly and easily;
there is a risk that the answers may not be considered admissible by the court.
80. In light of the above, it will only be in very exceptional circumstances that you will conduct an interview under caution by letter. Further advice should be sought if necessary from Legal Adviser’s Office via your legal liaison point.
Powers of arrest
81. Police officers have a power of arrest without warrant in respect of all offences, including health and safety offences48. All other people, including HSE inspectors, have limited powers to arrest anyone who has committed, or is in the act of committing, an indictable (including an either way) offence, or anyone they have reasonable grounds to suspect is committing (or has committed) such an offence49.
82. The restrictions on when the power of arrest may be used50 make it extremely unlikely that HSE staff will use this power. In addition, the lack of suitable HSE facilities in which to detain suspects, and the fact that you will not have received training in how to ensure your own safety when making an arrest, mean that you should not seek to arrest an individual you suspect of a health and safety offence. Inspectors should continue to use their enforcement powers under HSWA in accordance with the Enforcement Policy Statement. They also have the power to take a police officer with them if they have reasonable cause to apprehend any serious obstruction in carrying out their duties51.
Footnotes
The latest version of the Codes became effective from October 2013.
The Code has been held to apply to officers of customs and excise (R v Okafor [1994] 3 All ER 741, RvSanusi [1992] Crim LR 43, CA); a store detective (R v Bayliss (1994) 98 Cr. App. R. 235, CA); an RSPCA inspector (RSPCA v Eager [1995] Crim LR 59); and officers of the Serious Fraud Office (R v Director of Serious Fraud Office, ex parte Saunders ([1988] Crim LR 837).
Guidance note 1K to Code C states: “This Code [C] does not affect the principle that all citizens have a duty to help police officers to prevent crime and discover offenders. This is a civic rather than a legal duty; but when a police officer is trying to discover whether, or by whom, an offence has been committed he is entitled to question any person from whom he thinks useful information can be obtained, subject to the restrictions imposed by this Code. A person’s declaration that he is unwilling to reply does not alter this entitlement.”
R v McGuinness [1999] Crim LR 318. See also R v David Henry Elliott [2002] EWCA Crim 931: “[A]n account from the suspect may serve to reduce or extinguish the prospects of a successful prosecution. Any innocent explanation proffered…would require to be considered…as part of the overall information available to the officer deciding whether there was ‘sufficient evidence to prosecute’”.
Code C, paragraph 16.5
Code C, paragraph 10.
R v Shah [1994] Crim LR 125, CA.
R v Park [1993] TLR 436, 30 July, CA.
Code C, paragraph 11.1A
R v Keenan [1990] 2 QB 54
Batley v DPP, The Times, March 5 1988, DC
R v Miller [1998] Crim LR 209
Code C, paragraph 11.7 (a)
Code C, paragraph 11.7 (b)
Code C, paragraph 6.
Code C, paragraph 12.
Code C, paragraph 11.4. & Note 11A
Code C, paragraph 11.4 & Note 11E
Code C, paragraph 11.5
Code E, paragraph 4 (f) 4.12-4.14.
See Code of Practice E paragraph 3.1. However, paragraph 3.3 does provide a discretion not to audio record where it is not practicable to do so due to equipment failure or the unavailability of equipment/interview room .
PACE 1984, s.67(9).
Code E, paragraph 4.3.
Code E, paragraph 4.18.
Code E, paragraph 4.11
Code E, notes for guidance 4A.
Code E, paras.4.-4.6.
Code E, para.4.8.
Code E, paragraph 4.15
Code E, para.4.17.
Code E, para.4.18.
Code E, paragraph 5.1.
Code C, paragraph 11.7 (b)
Code C, Annex D.
Code C, Notes for Guidance 12A.
Code C, Annex D, paragraph 1
Code E, para.6.2.
R v Elson [1994] TLR 353, 30 June.
See R v Absolam (1989) 88 Cr. App. R. 332, and R v Delaney (1989) 88 Cr. App. R. 338.
R v Scott [1991] Crim LR 56.
DPP v Blake (1989) 89 Cr. App. R. 179, DC.
R v Hunt [1992] Crim LR 582, CA.
R v Absolam 88 Cr.App.R. 380, CA, R v McGovern 92 Cr.App.R. 228, R v Chung 92 Cr.App.R. 314
R v Imran and Hussain [1997] Crim LR 754
R v Roble [1997] Crim LR: a solicitor has good reason to advise their client to remain silent during an interview under caution where the interviewing officer has disclosed little or nothing of the nature of the case against the suspect so that the solicitor cannot usefully advise their client.
R v Nottle [2004] EWCA Crim 599 There is no obligation to disclose all evidence to the defence in pre-interview disclosure. However, if there is to be voluntary disclosure, this should be sufficient to ensure that the defendant is not advised by his or her solicitor to remain silent in the interview. (Affirms the Roble case above).
Direct Holidays plc v Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council [1998] EWHC Admin 456 (28 April 1998). During a trading standards investigation, a suspect company was asked by letter questions regarding the rating classification it applied to a particular set of holiday units.
Section 24 PACE (as amended). The power can only be exercised on the grounds, and for the reasons, set out in s.24; it may, for example, be used by the police in the course of an investigation into a work-related fatality that is subject to the Work-related deaths protocol.
Section 24A PACE (as amended).
The person making the arrest must have reasonable grounds for believing it to be necessary for one of the reasons specified, and it must appear not to be reasonably practicable for a police officer to make the arrest instead (s.24A(3) and (4) PACE).
Section 20(2)(b) HSWA.
