South Wales Police officers will often describe a voluntary interview as a chance to explain things from your side. In reality, if you’ve been asked to attend Cardiff Bay or Bridgend Police Station under this arrangement, you’re a suspect being interviewed under caution, and the outcome can range from no further action to a full prosecution.
We support clients through voluntary interviews across South Wales including Cardiff, Bridgend, Porthcawl, and Cowbridge. Contact us beforehand and we’ll deal with the officer investigating your case, pursue disclosure ahead of the interview, and help you decide the right approach to take. More information on voluntary interviews under caution.
Preparing You for a Voluntary Police Interview
We get in touch with the officer handling your case and request disclosure before the interview takes place including getting details of the allegation, any witness statements, and other evidence such as CCTV or forensic material. Clients who know what the police actually have are far better placed to respond to it.
During a private consultation, we’ll go through the disclosure with you and take your account, so we can agree together on how best to approach the interview.
Three ways to handle a South Wales Police interview
Full comment. Answering every question can be a persuasive way to deny an allegation, but it isn’t risk-free. Details that inadvertently support the prosecution case can undermine an otherwise strong denial.
No comment. In some cases the safest course is to say nothing at all, for instance where disclosure has left gaps, or where committing to an account now could cause problems later.
Prepared statement. We regularly draft statements that put a client’s account on the record clearly and carefully, while steering clear of ground that doesn’t help their case, avoiding the pressure of live questioning.
Representation Across South Wales
We have offices in both Cardiff and Bridgend and represent clients at voluntary interviews throughout the South Wales Police area.
Cardiff Bay Police Station
James Street, Cardiff Bay CF10
Bridgend Police Station (Queens Road)
Queens Road, Bridgend Industrial Estate, Bridgend CF31 3UT
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.
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