Arrest and Transport

This is a typical potrayal of a street arrest and being hand-cuffed by a police officer called to a crime incident.

Transport is then made to the police station in a mobile cell or possibly in a police car depending on the nature of the alleged offence.

When you arrive at the police station, your identity and the ID of the arresting officer will be confirmed. All of your belongings will be removed, bar the most simple clothing. These will be bagged and you will then sign for them. Currently the police use digital photo signatures. This is undertaken by the duty sergeant. You will also be asked a few simple questions, specifically regarding your health and if you require a doctor - Do Not Lie - as this will do you no favours

You will then be escorted to a separate room within the station where you will have your photograph taken. The old-style chain and number round the neck is no longer used as the police have invested in digital technology now and your ID will now be held on a central database. It's rather similar to the standard passport booth that you'll find on the high street.

The same officer will then digitally finger-print you and also D.N.A. you. Finger-printing is rarely of use, but is still a requirement. The D.N.A. test just involves a simple swab in your mouth and you will then be on the Government's database. D.N.A. evidence is really used to see if you can be linked to other unsolved crimes.

You will then be escorted to a police holding cell where you will locked up for a few hours or possibly several if it is believed that you are under some influence. You will asked to remove your shoes and these will be left outside the cell. Don't plan on a cup of tea and if you create a problem the police sergeant will assume that you are not ready for interview and keep you there. You are supposed to be allowed meals, but you'll be told the canteen is closed. There is a toilet and always ask for paper before entering a police station cell as you might have to wait some time before any supplies are made.

You'll have been in a cell without anything to do for hours by now and unless you can sleep, probably feeling rather bored? Don't - be polite, calm and above all don't lose it or you'll be there for 48 hours. Finally the interview will happen and you'll be sat down in a simple room, with a tape recorder - yes the police still use cassette tapes. You'll be told you can request a copy or your brief can. They only supply them at the last minute. Equally you will be told you can have a solicitor, but as they are really busy and there is no guarantee of one being available you'll have to go back to your cell.

Depending on your call or position, you'll be back in the cell and reflecting your position. Hopefully this is your first and last arrest so it's a good idea to communicate and possibly accept your mistake. This whole process is designed to intimidate you and L.A.C.E.S. is here to stop you from going through this: no crime - no arrest - no charge - no jail...