Giving a statement
The police will explain the purpose of making a statement. You may ask:
- For a break at any time, if you find the process upsetting
- To have the statement taken at your home, or another suitable location
- To be accompanied by a person of your choice, unless there is good reason that this should not take place
- To read over your written statement to check it is accurate, or have someone read it back to you
- To have any inaccuracies in your statement corrected, and any further information added.
If a police officer considers you to be a vulnerable victim or witness, or if you are under 18, you may be asked to make a video recording of your evidence, instead of a written statement, this will depend on the crime. The police will explain how this is done before you start, and will not discuss the evidence before the interview is recorded, in order to ensure that you give the most accurate description of what you saw or know.