Our work with the police

On this page:

Lessening the negative impact of police bail back procedures on the defence
Improving bail efficiency
Examples of regional work

Lessening the negative impact on the defence

Bail-back processes sometimes lead to negative impacts of police bail back procedures on the defence.

Initial agreements with senior police officers help initiate the changes at a local level. Our regional crime leads are working on these.

This will continue, but we will also place greater emphasis on this through our membership of Local Criminal Justice Boards.

Improving bail efficiency

We are also working with the Home Office to get membership of the national and local custody forums.

We will address this issue nationally and regionally to reduce the number of bailed to returns and improve their efficiency.

Examples of regional work

Wales – Dyfed Powys

We carried out a full review of outstanding bail to returns from the last three years.

This resulted in approximately 1,100 cases being classed with ‘no further action’ and solicitors being notified of the result.

Greater control is now exercised for new bail to returns, which are authorised and monitored by an Inspector.

London

The London Regional Duty Solicitor Committee (RDSC) has established a sub-group, with the Metropolitan Police Service.

They discuss specific police station issues in particular at Ealing, Brent, Sutton and Enfield.

North – Merseyside

We've discussed bail to return issues with Merseyside police.

They agreed to consider block listing for bail backs. This means all clients from one firm would be bailed on the same day at the same police station.

South – Sussex

Concerns were raised about the remoteness of decision-makers in custody suites from defence practitioners.

Police have provided further training to staff on bail decisions.

Following a discussion at the Defence Forum, the police have agreed to place an article in 'Routine Orders' to update defence solicitors on pre-charge bail issues.

Midlands – Northamptonshire

Agreement was reached to set up a secure email for information on police bail and custody records.

This will reduce the number of telephone calls for the custody suite allowing a better service for detained clients.

Police and defence solicitors agreed this new communication channel for bail conditions. It the defence to make representations for the client.

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Last updated: 21 November 2008