If Thames Valley Police have contacted you about a voluntary interview under caution, you may be asked to attend High Wycombe, Amersham or Aylesbury Police Station. A voluntary interview is not an informal conversation. You are suspected of an offence, your answers will be recorded and the police may rely on them when deciding what happens next.
Our solicitors are based in High Wycombe and Princes Risborough and represent clients throughout Buckinghamshire. By contacting us at an early stage, we can speak directly with the officer in charge, establish the nature of the allegation and obtain as much information as the police are prepared to provide. We will then advise you privately on your options before accompanying you to the interview.
For further guidance before your interview, read our article on the 10 mistakes people can make at a voluntary police interview.
01494 418 628 | [email protected]
Preparing for Your Voluntary Police Interview
Preparation begins before you enter the interview room. We will contact the investigating officer to clarify the allegation and request available disclosure, which may include witness accounts, messages, CCTV, digital evidence or forensic findings.
The police may provide only limited information. We will assess what has been disclosed, discuss your account with you privately and identify the likely areas of questioning. We will then advise whether you should answer questions, exercise your right to silence or provide a prepared statement.
Giving a Full Account
Answering questions allows you to deny the allegation, explain what happened and identify matters for the police to investigate. It may be effective where you have a clear account which is consistent with the available evidence.
Answering questions carries risks. Without careful preparation, you may give an unclear answer, overlook an important detail or accept an inaccurate suggestion. We will help you understand the issues and ensure you have a fair opportunity to give your account.
Exercising Your Right to Silence
You may answer “no comment” to some or all questions. This may be advisable if the police have disclosed very little or answering would create an unnecessary risk.
Silence is not an admission of guilt. However, a court may draw an adverse inference if you later rely on something you could reasonably have mentioned during the interview. We will explain this risk before advising you.
Providing a Prepared Statement
A prepared statement allows you to record your position clearly. It may contain a denial, explain relevant circumstances or identify evidence for the police to investigate.
The police may continue asking questions after receiving the statement. We will advise whether you should answer them or make no further comment.
Representation Across Buckinghamshire
We have offices in High Wycombe and Princes Risborough and represent clients attending voluntary interviews throughout Buckinghamshire, including at High Wycombe, Amersham and Aylesbury Police Stations.
High Wycombe Police Station
Queen Victoria Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP11 1BE
Amersham Police Station
King George V Road, Amersham, Buckinghamshire, HP6 5AL
Aylesbury Police Station
Wendover Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP21 7LA
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