Administered by:
Heading to the #BlackLivesMatter
demo in London or anywhere in England and Wales tomorrow? Know your rights & share these key messages!
1. NO COMMENT! You’re usually not required to answer police questions, so don’t. - Say ‘no comment’. This includes ‘friendly chats’, on the streets, in a police van & during interview. PLOs (officers in blue bibs) are trained intelligence gatherers - remember ‘NO COMMENT’
2. NO PERSONAL DETAILS! You DON’T legally have to give personal details when you’re being stopped & searched & you usually don’t need to give personal details to police anyway.
Exceptions:
- If you’re arrested many people choose to give their name, address, nationality & date of birth (no more than this) when they get to the custody desk (not before) as not giving this can delay release
- If you’re arrested & police demand your nationality you must give it (Policing & Crime Act 2017). Ask ‘UNDER WHAT POWER?’. This only applies after arrest, not on the streets
-If police want to give you a fine and you don’t give your details, they’re likely to arrest you whether the fine is under the coronavirus legislation or not
3. UNDER WHAT POWER? Police sometimes rely on protesters not knowing the law. If police tell you to do something make sure you challenge them to act lawfully by asking ‘AM I LEGALLY OBLIGED TO?’ & ‘UNDER WHAT POWER?’
4. NO DUTY SOLICITOR! If you’re arrested never take the solicitor offered by the police- they may not know anything about protest & give bad advice. Instead we recommend asking for ITN 020 3909 8100 or HJA 0808 274 8226
5. NO CAUTION! A caution is an admission of guilt for an offence without police having to show evidence. Doesn’t sound like much but stays on your record & can impact employment. Best not to accept one, unless a trusted solicitor has specifically advised you to & explained why
You can get a printable version of Green & Black Cross' bustcard here: https://greenandblackcross.org/bustcard/london/