Know My Rights

You've been arrested: what happens now?

Explore our video timeline to find out your rights and what to expect in police custody by clicking below.

What is a voluntary interview?

Find out about voluntary interviews and what to expect during an interview by clicking below to access our video timeline.

Voluntary interview

Endorsements

The NPCC Custody and Movement of Prisoners Portfolio has strong foundations in ensuring police custody is as safe as it can be and that detainees are treated with dignity, respect and fairness.

We are working on a number of avenues to improve the custody environment for all detainees, but particularly for children, young people and those who are vulnerable.

We are mindful of the impact being in custody can have upon a detainee, and are building upon a trauma informed approach to detention.

We are delighted to see the work that has gone into the Know my Rights website, with the informative and supportive series of animations.

These are something we see real value in providing to detainees in police custody, as another measure to ensure they are fully informed of their rights and how they can obtain the support that is available to them.

Also

Where did the videos come from?

A group of young people from Fight 4 Change’s Lambeth Young Advisers helped us to create these videos.

If arrested by the police, they wanted more information about what to expect, what their rights are, and who they can turn to for support.

The videos were funded by MOPAC and the University of Nottingham.

Find a free lawyer for your police interview

Search our complete list of publicly funded lawyers in England and Wales.

For a police interview you can get FREE legal advice from a lawyer who is INDEPENDENT of the police.

It is important to speak to a lawyer as soon as you know the police want to interview you.

Choose a lawyer from one of those listed.

Being an appropriate adult

Have you been asked by the police to act as an appropriate adult for a child or vulnerable adult? Click on the button below to watch a short animation which explains more about the role and what to expect.

Go to www.appropriateadult.org.uk/information/family for more information for people who have been asked to be an appropriate adult by the police, and to give us feedback on the video.

This video project was a partnership between Dr Miranda Bevan (funded by the London School of Economics and the Economic and Social Research Council) and the National appropriate adult Network.

About us

This website arose out of research undertaken by Dr Vicky Kemp, University of Nottingham, and Dr Miranda Bevan, King’s College, London.

We would like to thank all the children and young people, police officers, appropriate adults, lawyers and other professionals and volunteers, who have taken part in our research and supported this work.

We are also grateful to all the organisations who have funded our research and helped to create the videos on this page.

Disclaimer

The website is not affiliated with any government agency or law enforcement authority.
It is intended to provide general information about children's rights in police custody and does not consititute legal advice.