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Legal information for demos:
- Everything you say can be used in evidence against you or others.
- There are no “friendly” chats with the police. They cannot be trusted. Avoid contact and conversation with them.
- Stop and search – Before a search you must be told the name and station of the searching officer, the reason you are being searched and what power you are being searched under.
- You can be arrested if you refuse to be searched and they can use reasonable force to search you.
- You do not have to give your name and address or answer questions under any stop and search power (unless driving). However, if you are reasonably believed to be committing anti-social behaviour you can be required to give your name and address to a uniformed police officer under s50 of the Police Reform Act 2002.
- Police have the power to demand the removal of masks under 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
- If you witness an arrest – Write down the name of the person arrested, where they were arrested, what for and any other relevant information.
Contact Bristol Defendant Solidarity with information and if you can be a witness. Be careful what you say on the phone. We can arrange a meeting.
Learn about the law. Know your rights and police powers if you think you may get arrested. For further information see ldmg.org.uk. www.activistslegalproject.org.uk
If arrested:
- Don’t panic. You’re not alone and it’s not the end of the world!
- You have the right to know why you are being arrested.
- Note the number(s) of your arresting officer(s), if possible.
- Tell someone the name you will give to the police so you can be located later at the police station.
- You still have the right to silence. Just say “No comment” to all questions.
- Whatever the police say, there is no legal requirement to talk to them.
- You don’t have to give any information to the police after arrest, but if you don’t give a verifiable name and address it will delay your release.
- You will be searched and police are entitled to take photo, fingerprints and DNA sample of anyone arrested (by “reasonable force” if necessary).
- If you have any injuries, ask for an independent doctor to record and photograph them.
You have the right to free legal advice at the police station. Avoid using the duty solicitor. Here are two local firms with experience of representing people arrested on demos:
SANSBURY DOUGLAS : 0117 9552663
NIALL ARNALL : 0117 9098898
You have the right to read your rights from the PACE code of practice. You have the right to have someone (as well as your solicitor) notified that you have been arrested.
Please contact Sam Elliot from Bristol Defendant Solidarity so we can keep track of arrests and arrange support. Let BDS know when you are released.
SAM ELLIOT (BDS) : 07746 741104
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