A phone call from Bedfordshire Police inviting you to a “voluntary interview” is a serious matter. These interviews are held at a Police Station, and mean you’re being questioned as a suspect under caution. Anything you say can become part of the evidence against you and the outcome can be the difference between no further action and a criminal charge.
Our solicitors are based locally, with offices in both Luton and Leighton Buzzard. We represent people at voluntary interviews across Bedfordshire, including Luton, Bedford, Dunstable, Kempston and beyond on a regular basis. We’ll speak to the officer in charge, request disclosure ahead of time, and make sure you go in properly prepared. Find out more about what a voluntary interview under caution involves.
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 Bedfordshire
We have offices in both Luton and Leighton Buzzard, and regularly represent clients at voluntary interviews throughout Bedfordshire.
Luton Police Station
Buxton Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 1SD
Kempston Custody Suite
Bedfordshire Police Headquarters, Woburn Road, Kempston, Bedford, MK43 9AX
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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