FAQs

No. On arrest, the police have the right to take your fingerprints and do not need your permission.

Yes. On arrest, the police have the right to take your DNA and do not need your permission. The sample may, for example, be from a hair root.

A warrant is a document issued by a legal or governmental official authorising another body, usually the police, to make an arrest, search premises or carry out some other function relating to the administration of justice.

The police have the power to enter your premises to affect an arrest and, in doing so, to search the house for evidence relating to the investigation in question. Once under arrest and detained, the police can search the house, on the authority of an officer of at least an inspector's rank, for evidence relating to the current or other offences.

A suspect can generally be held for no longer than 24 hours in police custody prior to charge. The police should ensure that all detainees are processed as quickly as possible. Where it is deemed appropriate by an officer of at least a superintendent's rank, this period can be extended to a total of 36 hours. Whilst further extensions prior to charge can be allowed up to a maximum period of 96 hours, this has to be authorised by the court.

Where the police arrest a suspect, but wish to release him or her whilst the case continues, they can release him/her on bail. This can be before charge, whilst further enquiries are made, or after charge. If charged, the police must decide whether bail to a court date is appropriate. If not, the police must place the defendant before the first available court where the magistrates must decide whether to grant bail or remand in custody. Bail can be with or without conditions. Conditions can include residing at a fixed address, keeping away from witnesses and defined locations or regularly reporting to a local police station. Breaching conditions, re-offending, interfering with witnesses or failing to answer bail can result in a remand in custody until the case concludes.

ABH stands for Actual Bodily Harm which reflects the injuries which are sustained as a result of this level of assault. Whilst relatively minor injuries could be classed as ABH, current charging guidance suggests that such injuries would be charged as the lesser offence of Common Assault. ABH will be charged if the injuries are deemed serious. In practice, this may be the case if injuries require a number of stitches or a hospital procedure under anaesthetic. The maximum prison sentence for an assault resulting in ABH is five years.

GBH stands for Grievous Bodily Harm which reflects the injuries which are sustained as a result of this level of assault. It reflects really serious injuries such as those resulting in permanent disability or broken limbs. The maximum prison sentence for an assault resulting in GBH is five years. If, however, the GBH is caused intentionally, a maximum sentence of life imprisonment applies.