FOI 354823

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 354823

 

I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 21^st August 2024.  Please find below the response to your request:

 

I am seeking up-to-date information about the proportion of police detentions/interviews of suspects and voluntary interviews in which an appropriate adult was provided and for whom legal advice was requested and obtained as recorded by officers for both adults and juveniles.  

I would be grateful if you could provide the following data for your force area, for each year for the years ending 9 March 2021, 2022 and 2023: 

In relation to adults, please could you indicate the total number of

(1) authorised detentions

(2) interviews under arrest and

(3) voluntary Interviews. 

 

Then for each these whether ’

(a) a pre-interview Risk Assessment was conducted,

(b) an appropriate adult was required

an appropriate adult was provided,

(c) legal advice was requested and

(d) legal advice was provided.

 

In relation to juveniles, please could you indicate the total number of

(1) authorised detentions

(2) interviews under arrest and

(3) voluntary Interviews. 

 

Then for each these whether

(a) a pre-interview Risk Assessment was conducted,

(b) an appropriate adult was required

an appropriate adult was provided

(c) legal advice was requested

(d) legal advice was provided.

 

Reply

 

In relation to adults, please could you indicate the total number of

(1) authorised detentions

(2) interviews under arrest and

(3) voluntary Interviews. 

 Then for each these whether

 (a) a pre-interview Risk Assessment was conducted,

(b) an appropriate adult was required

an appropriate adult was provided,

(c) legal advice was requested and

(d) legal advice was provided.

 

 

	10 March 2020 - 9 March 2021	10 March 2021 - 9 March 2022	10 March 2022 - 9 March 2023
Number of Adult Authorised Detentions	13449	13421	14620
Adult Detainees Fit for Interview	9087	9104	10226
Number of Adult Custody Interviews	9699	9638	10715
Appropriate Adult Required	440	469	675
Appropriate Adult Present at Interview	454	464	588
Legal Advice Requested	7119	7410	8583
Legal Advice Received	6387	6458	7273

 

 

Adult Voluntary Interviews	3597	3956	3786
Pre-Interview RA	1712	3217	3134
Appropriate Adult Required	131	189	219
Appropriate Adult Present at Interview	131	189	219
Legal Advice Requested	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded
Legal Advice Received	1099	2096	2029

 

 

In relation to juveniles, please could you indicate the total number of

(1) authorised detentions

(2) interviews under arrest and

(3) voluntary Interviews. 

 

Then for each these whether

(a) a pre-interview Risk Assessment was conducted,

(b) an appropriate adult was required

an appropriate adult was provided

(c) legal advice was requested

(d) legal advice was provided.

	10 March 2020 - 9 March 2021	10 March 2021 - 9 March 2022	10 March 2022 - 9 March 2023
Number of Children & Young People Authorised Detentions	737	780	887
Children & Young People Detainees Fit for Interview	589	607	700
Number of Children & Young People Custody Interviews	597	617	707
Appropriate Adult Required	697	719	811
Appropriate Adult Present at Interview	579	606	691
Legal Advice Requested	553	593	704
Legal Advice Received	509	536	610

 

Children & Young People Voluntary Interviews	520	708	982
Pre-Interview RA	264	582	574
Appropriate Adult Required	326	645	621
Appropriate Adult Present at Interview	326	645	621
Legal Advice Requested	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded
Legal Advice Received	172	381	381

 

CAVEATS:

 

 

• The number of detentions is higher than the number of interviews because the detentions include all types of arrest, for example a Warrant, for a Recall, persons answering bail but not requiring a further interview etc.

 

• The number of interviews is higher than the number of those fit for interview because a detainee may not be deemed fit for interview at the point of detention, but they later become fit. 

 

• There are also differences in the number of appropriate adults required and those present at interview; and similar differences with legal advice received and requested.  This is because their need for an appropriate adult (adults only) may change during the detention period. Some details may also be recorded in free text but to search for confirmation of this would exceed the fees limit.

 

• With regards to Voluntary Interviews, there are a number of records for both Adults and Children where the Risk Assessment (RA) has not been completed.  This is because the RA section is not a mandated field.

 

• The numbers for appropriate adults required and present for both adults and children voluntary interviews are one and the same. This is a much less dynamic environment than custody where circumstances do change for detainees throughout their detention.

 

• There is no requirement to record legal advice requested within the voluntary interview database.