A police interview in Lewisham: preparing for the next step

An invitation to speak to the police can sound informal, particularly when it arrives by telephone and the proposed appointment is described as voluntary. That description does not mean the allegation is unimportant. Before attending, establish the purpose of the interview and arrange legal advice appropriate to the situation.

For people in Lewisham, the immediate difficulty is often knowing which details to collect and how quickly to act. This guide focuses on those practical steps. The approach to answering interview questions must be discussed privately with your solicitor after considering your instructions and the information available.

Clarify what the police are asking you to do

Make a note of the officer’s name, contact details, the proposed station, the appointment time and any reference number. Ask whether the police want to interview you as a suspect. If you are unsure of the wording used, keep the message or describe the conversation accurately when seeking advice.

It is easy to focus on the substance of an allegation and overlook the practical arrangements. Confirm whether a date has actually been agreed, whether the officer has asked you to bring anything and how you will be notified of a change. Avoid relying on a second-hand account from a friend or relative if the direct communication is available.

If the invitation came in writing, keep the whole letter or email. A solicitor may need information in the heading, attachment or reference line as well as the main text.

What “voluntary” means

Official guidance explains that someone attending a voluntary interview is not under arrest and can leave unless arrested. A voluntary interview may nevertheless be conducted under caution about a suspected offence. The decision to attend, and the arrangements for doing so, should be discussed with your adviser.

The GOV.UK notice on voluntary interview rights explains access to free legal advice and other safeguards. It also explains that requesting a solicitor is not an indication of wrongdoing.

Do not confuse a voluntary arrangement with a promise about what will happen afterwards. If the officer has said something about a likely outcome, tell your solicitor the exact words rather than treating them as a settled conclusion.

Arrange advice before the appointment where possible

Contact a criminal defence firm as soon as the interview is proposed. Give the date first, then explain what you know about the allegation. Ask what information the team needs to confirm the arrangements and when you should expect further contact.

For AB Mackenzie’s police station advice, use the office contact for an arranged discussion or the emergency line for an urgent matter. If the appointment is imminent, say that clearly. Sending an email without a response does not confirm that a solicitor will attend.

Ask how you will speak privately with your adviser before the interview. That conversation is the place to explain your account, raise concerns and receive advice about the interview itself.

Prepare a short chronology, not a rehearsed answer

A brief sequence of events can help you explain the background. Include approximate dates where you are uncertain and identify the source of each point. There is a useful difference between something you personally remember, a message you can locate and something another person later told you.

Do not try to turn the chronology into a script for police questioning. Its purpose is to help your solicitor understand the case and ask the right follow-up questions. If your recollection is incomplete, say so. Filling a gap with a confident guess can make an account less clear.

You may find it useful to keep a separate list of questions: what the appointment involves, how long you should allow, what documents are needed and how updates will be communicated. These practical concerns are worth raising rather than leaving unspoken.

Keep potentially relevant records intact

Messages, photographs, diaries and other records may help establish what happened. Preserve originals and tell your solicitor where they are held. A selected screenshot can omit surrounding context, so explain whether a fuller record exists.

Do not delete, edit or reorganise material in a way that changes the original evidence. Equally, do not assume that you should send every document to the police simply because you believe it helps. Ask your solicitor how relevant material should be identified and handled lawfully.

If records belong to an employer, another person or an organisation, explain that. Your adviser can consider appropriate enquiries; a wish to prepare your defence does not give you unrestricted access to someone else’s account or device.

Raise health, communication and support needs early

Tell your solicitor if medication, a health condition, a disability or a communication difficulty could affect the appointment. Describe the practical need: for example, difficulty understanding lengthy questions, reading documents or managing an extended session.

The official voluntary interview notice explains access to interpreters where needed. Other safeguards may also be relevant depending on age and vulnerability. Your solicitor can discuss the arrangements that apply to the individual situation.

Early information allows the team to raise the issue before arrival where possible. You do not need to minimise a difficulty because you worry that asking for support will be inconvenient.

Why interview strategy cannot come from a template

People often search for a simple rule about whether to answer questions. A general article cannot select the right approach. The allegation, the available information and your account all matter. A phrase that was appropriate in someone else’s case may not fit yours.

Discuss the options and their implications with your solicitor. If you do not understand a recommendation, ask for the reasoning to be explained in ordinary language. You should be able to distinguish your adviser’s assessment from something you read online or heard from a friend.

Tell the solicitor if new information arises before or during the appointment. Advice depends on the facts available, and a change in those facts may need to be considered.

Plan the day without assuming a quick finish

Confirm the actual station and entrance arrangements rather than using a general map search for “Lewisham police”. An invitation may name a different location. Check travel plans, keep the relevant contact details available and ask when you should arrive to meet your representative.

Think about work, childcare, medication and other responsibilities. The length of an appointment cannot be guaranteed from the invitation alone. Ask the team what practical arrangements are sensible rather than booking commitments on the assumption that everything will finish at a particular time.

If the appointment changes or you cannot attend as arranged, contact your solicitor promptly. Keep a record of the communication and ask what needs to happen next.

After the interview: leave with clear information

Before putting the paperwork away, check what has actually been confirmed. Is there another date? Has a document been issued? Are there instructions or restrictions you need to understand? Ask your solicitor to explain anything that is unclear.

Retain the documents and the date on which you received them. Let the team know about further police contact, including messages that appear routine. Avoid assuming that silence means the matter has finished or that a proposed next step has already taken place.

Keep relevant records available. An organised file and a clear communication route make later advice easier if the investigation continues.

Getting help with a Lewisham police interview

AB Mackenzie Solicitors serves Lewisham from its Bromley office and provides advice about police interviews and criminal investigations. For urgent police station assistance, call 07442 505012. For office enquiries, call 020 7701 1900 or contact the team.

If you are still deciding which firm to approach, our guide to choosing criminal solicitors for Lewisham explains useful questions about representation, communication and funding.

Questions about arranging the interview

Should I wait until the day to mention a solicitor?

If an interview is planned in advance, contacting a firm earlier gives time to discuss attendance and practical arrangements. Tell the team if the date is close. If the appointment has already begun or someone is detained, raise the request for legal advice directly rather than relying on an unanswered online message.

What if the officer changes the appointment?

Pass the new details to your solicitor as soon as possible, including the source of the information. Confirm whether the representative can attend the revised appointment and how you should coordinate any further communication. A changed time is easy to overlook when several people have been involved in arranging attendance.

Can a friend help me prepare?

A trusted person may help organise travel, locate paperwork or write down practical questions. The legal advice and your account of the allegation should be discussed with your solicitor. Avoid comparing or agreeing accounts with other people involved in the events. Explain to the team if someone else has relevant information so that the appropriate next steps can be considered.