Crime Solicitors

Somerset County Council’s Youth Offending Team is appealing for more volunteers to act as Appropriate Adults, helping young people or vulnerable adults understand what is happening to them while in police custody and why.

Appropriate Adults support and ensure a person understands their rights and the police process while in custody – they also ensure their health, wellbeing, legal rights and entitlements are in accordance with the Police And Criminal Evidence Act (PACE).

Head of Custody Suites in Avon and Somerset, Mark Runacres, said:

“Appropriate Adult volunteers play a key role for young or vulnerable people who are in police custody and have been unable to successfully nominate a family member, friend or other person to attend and support them.

“By representing the interests of the person in police custody, the Appropriate Adult Volunteer helps to ensure understanding of the person’s rights – and enables the custody processes, such as explanation of legal rights and completion of an interview to progress.

“This assists the person in custody, investigating officer and also custody staff, as the availability of an Appropriate Adult Volunteer can help to minimise the amount of time spent in police custody.

“Without Appropriate Adult Volunteers to call on when needed, the custody process would grind to a halt – causing significant negative impact for a group of people who can include the most vulnerable to be detained after arrest.

“I greatly admire and value the Appropriate Adult Volunteers already assisting at custody units within Avon and Somerset Constabulary – and would welcome others who feel able to assist in this important and interesting role.”

Operating from Bridgwater Custody Suite, volunteers can state the times and dates they are available for call outs – which could be day, evening and/or weekends. They should live within a 12-mile radius of the Custody unit.

A Somerset County Council spokesperson said:

“We are grateful to volunteers like Valerie who give up some of their spare time to help people detained in the police custody suite.

“Good communication skills, being patient and caring are essential skills.

“You don’t need to have a legal or police background, but experience of with working with children and young people – especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds – is desirable.”

The next training day is 14 June.

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers – Prison Law

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers are available 24/7, 365 days a year to advise at any stage of a criminal charge, including serious organised crime, violent crime, sexual offences, terrorism charges, human trafficking and modern slavery charges, robbery, drugs offences, business crime and motoring offences.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales – and a Duncan Lewis criminal defence solicitor can attend interviews under caution within an hour.

Our expert criminal law department can also advise on a person’s rights while held in custody – and prison law, including legal advice on Prison Service
Instructions (PSIs) and Prison Service Orders (PSOs), access to healthcare and mental health services, disciplinary hearings before the Governor, applications to the Parole Board and Licence conditions.

Duncan Lewis is also available to advise on youth offending, miscarriages of justice, wrongful arrest and false imprisonment – as well as mental health law.

For expert legal advice on criminal charges and Prison Law, call Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Solicitors 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.