Witness Statement

=WITNESS STATEMENT= Please check also Bust Card

Number in box here for office use only

'''IMPORTANT:- Completing and returning this statement may prevent someone from going to prison. '''

Please hand the completed statement to a legal observer (wearing an orange bib) to our info desks at the convergence centres or by post to the G8 Legal Support Group, C/o BM Makhno, London WC1N 3XX. You can also complete a statement online at

Please give as much information as possible and be as accurate as you can. Afterwards we have to match these statements to individual cases. Wherever possible we will pass the statement to the arrested or injured person and/or their solicitor. They may contact you for further information. Your details will not be used for any other purpose.

Date of Demonstration ………………………………........

What did you witness (please tick box)? Arrest			Injury

Your name ……………………………….................................................................................

Your postal address ………………………………...................................................................

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Your ‘phone number (home) ……………………… (mobile) ……………………………

Your email address ………………………………....@............................................................

Exact time of incident ………………………………................................................................

Place (please be exact) ………………………………..............................................................

Description of police: 	ID Numbers ……………………………...........................................

Rank ………………………………....................................................

Vehicle Number ………………………………..................................

Vehicle Registration ………………………………............................

Continued overleaf Name of arrested or injured person………………………………............................................

Please describe the clothes and appearance of the injured person ……………………………

……………………………….................................................................……………………..

………………………………....................................................................................................

Please describe as fully as possible what happened ………………………………..................

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If possible please do a sketch of the incident

Do you have any (please tick)

Photos			Video			of the incident.

Thank you for completing this statement. Please do not forget to return it (see over for details)

In practice you have few enforceable rights against the police: even evidence illegally obtained by them can but used in Court. However the following information may help: Always Remember:     Don't get drawn into conversations with the police. Even apparently innocent remarks can be used against you. Keeping your mouth shut until you have spoken to a solicitor is often a good idea if you think you are in serious trouble. If the police suspect you have committed any offence, you can be arrested if you refuse to give your name and address, or if the police are not satisfied with the address you have given.    If in doubt do and say nothing until you have contacted a solicitor.    If anything you ask for is refused, ask why and remember the reason given.    As soon as possible make full notes of what has happened and give them to your solicitor. These can be used as evidence in court. If you have been injured go and see a doctor as soon as possible, giving a full explanation of your injuries.   <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#006900">On The Street - If You Are Stopped:   <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#006900"> Check police identity: ask to see their warrant card and remember any details. If they are in uniform remember their numbers. </li> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#006900"> If you are stopped an searched in the street, ask why. The police can stop you in any public place if they suspect you are in possession of "prohibited articles". On the street, the police can only search outer clothing such as coats, gloves etc. If the police suspect that you are in possession of illegal drugs they can take you to a police station for a more thorough search without formally arresting you. police should show evidence of identity before searching you and must keep a record of the search. </li> </ol> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#006900">If You Are Taken To A Police Station:   <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#006900"> Don't rely on any legal advice the police offer you. </li> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#006900"> Ask if you have been arrested and if so why. Ask to see the custody officer as soon as you arrive at the police station and make sure that the starting time of your detention is correctly recorded. Remember that the reason for your arrest and detention is recorded at the top of the police custody record, as is the need for the police to ask whether you need a solicitor or relative informed. Make sure you know why you are being held. The nature of the possible charges determines your entitlements to rights at the police station. </li> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#006900"> Ask the custody officer to phone your solicitor or the duty solicitor. Insist that a friend or relative is informed of your arrest. You have the right to have someone informed without delay unless you are being detained in connection with a "serious arrestable offence". If you are being held in connection with a serious arrestable offence, police can delay access to solicitors and relatives in specific circumstances. If they do refuse access ask why and insist that the reason is recorded on your custody sheet. Even if the police are confident that are grounds for refusing access to a solicitor or relatives, they have to allow access before 36 hours has expired. </li> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#006900"> Ask to be charged or released. Unless you are suspected of a serious offence, you must be charged or released within 24 hours of detention and you have the right to consult a solicitor at any time. Make sure that you request to see a solicitor and the time of the request is recorded by the custody officer. Whatever the police say you should NEVER sign the custody sheet saying that you don't want to see a solicitor. </li> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#006900"> In order to get bail (released from the police station before going to court) you will probably have to satisfy the police that you have a fixed address. </li> </ol> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#006900">If Your Home Or Workplace Is To Be Searched:   <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#006900"> The police do not need a warrant or your permission to enter your home in order to arrest someone, but in theory they should name the person sought. Searches can sometimes be conducted without a warrant, but in all cases you should ask the police to identify themselves and ask the reason of the search. You are entitled to see a copy of the search warrant. </li> </ol> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#006900"> For information and help in dealing with the police and the criminal courts in the UK contact: <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#006900"><b> | RELEASE</b> 020 7729 9904 (24 hour helpline) 388 Old Street LONDON EC1V 9LT (if you need to see them please ring first for an appointment)