If West Midlands Police have asked you to attend a voluntary interview under caution, it is likely to take place at Birmingham Central, Perry Barr, Stechford or Coventry Police Station. Although attendance is voluntary, you are being interviewed as a suspect. The interview will be recorded and anything you say may be used as evidence against you. The approach you take could influence whether the investigation ends without further action or you are charged with an offence.
Our criminal defence solicitors work from our Coventry office and regularly attend voluntary interviews across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands. Contact us before your interview and we can liaise with the investigating officer, obtain advance disclosure and advise you on the best way to respond to the allegation.
For further guidance before your interview, read our article on the 10 mistakes people can make at a voluntary police interview.
02475 105 530 | [email protected]
Preparing You for a Voluntary Police Interview
We will contact the officer on your behalf and obtain ‘disclosure’ prior to the interview. We will obtain as much information about the allegation as possible and determine whether the police have taken statements from witnesses. We will find out what other evidence the police have, such as CCTV or forensics. Our clients are in a far better position in knowing the details of the case against them before committing to an account.
During a private consultation, we will discuss the evidence obtained from the police and take your account of what may or may not have happened. We will then be able to determine the best approach to take during the police interview.
There are three main interview strategies:
1. Providing a full comment in a voluntary police interview
In some cases, we may advise you to simply answer all of the questions put to you. It may be the most persuasive way to deny an allegation. This approach can bring with it various risks, such as giving inconsistent or unconvincing answers. At worst, individuals incriminate themselves by giving information to the police that otherwise would not be able to be proved.
2. No comment in a voluntary police interview
It may be in your interests to simply make no comment at all in the interview. There are various situations where this may be the best approach. For example, where there is no plausible defence to put forward or where there are risks attached to giving a particular account.
3. Providing a prepared statement in a voluntary police interview
Often, we will draft a written statement on our client’s behalf which carefully outlines their account without going into areas which do not help them. This can be extremely effective in avoiding the pressure of police questions whilst ensuring our client’s position is put forward.
Representation Across Birmingham and Coventry
Reeds Solicitors regularly represents clients attending voluntary interviews at police stations throughout Birmingham and Coventry.
Birmingham Central Police Station
Lloyd House, Snow Hill Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6NQ
Bournville Police Station
341 Bournville Lane, Bournville, Birmingham, B30 1QX
Perry Barr Police Station
Holford Drive, Perry Barr, Birmingham, B42 2TU
Stechford Police Station
338 Station Road, Stechford, Birmingham, B33 8RR
Sutton Coldfield Police Station
Lichfield Road, Sutton Coldfield, B74 2NR
Coventry Central Police Station
Little Park Street, Coventry, CV1 2JX
Frequently Asked Questions
For an arrest to be lawful, it must be considered necessary. This will often be the case where evidence needs to be obtained from a suspect’s property or seized from a suspect. If the alleged offence took place some time ago, or there is no longer a need to seize evidence, a voluntary interview may be offered instead.
In short, no. The fact that a voluntary interview has been offered does not mean that the allegation is minor or that the police do not have sufficient evidence. It usually means that the police do not consider an arrest necessary.
The police may attend your address to contact you about a voluntary interview. If they are unable to reach you, they may instead contact you by post.
After the interview, the police officer will decide whether any further investigation is needed or whether a charging decision should be sought from an Evidential Review Officer or the Crown Prosecution Service.
We will consider whether any positive action can be taken to advance your position and reduce the risk of a charge. This may include compiling evidence in support of your defence and submitting it to the police with written representations. A proactive approach can sometimes play a crucial role in avoiding a prosecution.
Get in touch
Information is processed in line with UK GDPR and our Privacy Policy