‘Down the block'

On arrival at the police station, suspects were normally booked in first. While being booked in suspects were accompanied to the desk by two arresting officers. In theory, there were five stages to this process, which mostly occurred one after the other depending on the suspect’s compliance, ¹ their level of intoxication and the busyness of the custody area. ²

Details of arrest and the suspect. The officer booking in the suspect normally asked ‘do you know why you are here?’ The reasons for arrest, however, including location and the suspect’s personal details were normally provided by the arresting officer. The booking-in officer would then clarify with the suspect if they understood why they had been arrested, which could provoke an argument if the suspect disagreed with the reasons and circumstances of their arrest.

Risk assessment. Suspects were questioned about their physical and mental health, including drug problems, previous suicide attempts, whether they attended a special school and/or if they had trouble reading or writing. At this stage the booking-in officer sometimes decided whether or not they needed a doctor and/or an appropriate adult. They were also asked whether they would like to see a drug worker.

Reading of rights. The booking-in officer explained verbally and in writing to suspects that they had the right to free and independent legal advice, to have someone informed of their arrest and to view the PACE Codes of Practice. They were asked to sign to say they had been informed of their rights and to confirm their decisions about their rights and entitlements.

Search and removal of property. Next suspects were searched and their property removed, primarily to prevent them from harming themselves while they were in the cells. Suspects were normally searched by the arresting officer, unless they were of a different sex. They were asked to remove their outer clothes and personal property, and to take off their shoes. Property was listed and bagged to be taken to the property store. Suspects were then patted down and searched with a metal detector wand. If necessary, they were taken to a private room to be strip-searched.

Biometric data. Suspects were taken to have fingerprints, a DNA sample and a photograph taken. And in Gormiston, offenders who committed trigger offences were tested for opiates and cocaine.