The Law Society of England and Wales, the professional body for solicitors, have sent out a warning to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), that "it is only a matter of time" before a serious injury occurs if solicitors have to continue interviewing potentially violent or abusive suspects alone in locked cells or rooms.
The Society say this practice is an ever increasing trend amongst the police force and call for urgent action from the HSE.
The Criminal Law Solicitors Association (CLSA) have already uncovered evidence of this dangerous practice at 16 police stations in England and Wales.
It is pointed out by the Law Society, that the police must be "educated about their responsibilities" and gave the following examples of the types of harassments duty solicitors encounter:
-
A woman duty solicitor was locked in with a convicted rapist.
-
In another case a suspect exposed himself.
-
One male solicitor was spat at by a suspect he was trying to help.
Commenting on their findings, Kevin Martin, Law Society President, said:
”The police are being cavalier with the safety of duty solicitors by locking them in interview rooms with unknown and potentially dangerous suspects.
"The police arrest violent suspects with handcuffs but some officers are leaving solicitors locked in interview rooms with them. It is not always clear when suspects could become violent, particularly if they suffer mental health problems or from the effects of drug abuse.
"The police must be educated about their responsibilities.”
Ian Kelcey, CLSA Chairman, commented:
”It is time for the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Home Office to issue a directive that to lock solicitors into interview rooms with clients is totally inappropriate.
"The facilities in many interview rooms at police stations are woefully inadequate. The panic button in some rooms is too high on the wall and the police response to panic buttons can be appalling.”
Further information on work-related violence can be accessed from the HSE webpage, by clicking the following:
Article by Alexandra Johnston
