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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to expect the police not to lock me up because I have severe claustrophobia.

155 replies

jojojoeyjojo · 05/07/2025 22:17

I haven’t actually committed any crimes ..but just watching one of my favourite TV shows …’24 hours in Police Custody’ and idly musing about what would happen if I ever did get arrested. I am severely claustrophobic and if I was locked in a police cell…or ..shudder…the back of a police van I would be a hyperventilating, hysterical wreck. I am normally very calm in a crisis but my irrational phobia of enclosed spaces or being locked in would be my undoing. What would the police do
in this situation. I guess they would still have to lock you up? Or would they be able to make reasonable adjustments..I’m genuinely curious..

OP posts:
shitshow1976 · 05/07/2025 23:06

You just get put in the cell. In very extreme cases you'd be on a constant and have an officer/CDO sat at your door (open) but you'd have to threaten to bang your head/self harm for that to happen. There's no special treatment. If your prescribed a benzo the HCP might give you some after about 4 hours but depends on their workload 🫤

Original poster
jojojoeyjojo · 05/07/2025 23:06

@Toetouchingtitties a hood? And handcuffs…I hadn’t even thought about handcuffs. That’s it..I’m never leaving the house again just in case I get inadvertently arrested due to mistaken identity or something.i just can’t take the chance …

OP posts:
Sportsdaywinner · 05/07/2025 23:02

HauntedBungalow · 05/07/2025 22:25

No yanbu.

If you were arrested they would have to make reasonable adjustments including but not limited to:

  • transporting you in an open top van
  • leaving your cell door open save for when you require privacy
  • noise cancelling headphones to relieve anxiety
  • a safe space with neutral decor and calm, ambient lighting
  • a friendship bench
  • sticker chart for good behaviour
  • an officer designated "mother" you can chat about your feelings with

😂😂

WhatMe123 · 05/07/2025 22:51

I've worked in a prison and I know from meeting prisoners they still lock you up op

IggleBiggle · 05/07/2025 22:50

There are cases of people with mental health conditions who cannot be calm with the police so they end up being restrained but in such a way that it restricts their breathing and they have died. Just to pop some cheer on the thread.

ShesTheAlbatross · 05/07/2025 22:44

Isittimeformynapyet · 05/07/2025 22:35

@Fastingandhungry

What is 136.m?

Should I know what that is?

I’d assume section 136 of the mental health act. It allows police to take people to a place of safety if they think it’s necessary.

NC28 · 05/07/2025 22:37

HauntedBungalow · 05/07/2025 22:29

Please tell me that DP stands for Dear Prisoner.

Show quote history

Hahaha! That is sensational.

Tough night at work, DP shat in his hands and rubbed it on the walls.

Toetouchingtitties · 05/07/2025 22:36

Whatever you do, don’t spit at them, as they’ll put a hood on you too…

Isittimeformynapyet · 05/07/2025 22:35

@Fastingandhungry

What is 136.m?

Should I know what that is?

isitmeamithedrama · 05/07/2025 22:33

I worked in a police custody setting….you’d still be locked up.
if you’re prescribed medication by your doctor for it then you’d get it from the nurse on duty, only after 4-6 hours.
commit a crime and you’ll be treated like every other person that’s committed a crime.

MaryBeardsShoes · 05/07/2025 22:33

Just the thought of being arrested sets me off in a panic, to be honest its a large part of the reason I don’t do any crimes.

CaptainFuture · 05/07/2025 22:30

NC28 · 05/07/2025 22:29

Friendship bench, haha. I love it.

This is why we need the laughing reaction.

Show quote history

The sticker chart jumped the shark for me!

HauntedBungalow · 05/07/2025 22:29

Fastingandhungry · 05/07/2025 22:28

Many suites (the modern ones) have full glass doors so the DP can see outside. But if you presented a risk to yourself or other you’d have to be secured, if you self harmed the door would be open with PCs on cell watch at the door.

You’d also see the custody nurse, who might consider 136.m depending on the circumstances.

Please tell me that DP stands for Dear Prisoner.

youreactinglikeafunmum · 05/07/2025 22:29

Tbf though, op, i cant be alone with my own thoughts or I'd lose it.

Defo wouldn't cope in jail and would be rambling and crying during the interview so much they'd get the ick and be irritated - defo wouldn't be a 'no comment' interview from me

NC28 · 05/07/2025 22:29

HauntedBungalow · 05/07/2025 22:25

No yanbu.

If you were arrested they would have to make reasonable adjustments including but not limited to:

  • transporting you in an open top van
  • leaving your cell door open save for when you require privacy
  • noise cancelling headphones to relieve anxiety
  • a safe space with neutral decor and calm, ambient lighting
  • a friendship bench
  • sticker chart for good behaviour
  • an officer designated "mother" you can chat about your feelings with

Friendship bench, haha. I love it.

This is why we need the laughing reaction.

Original poster
jojojoeyjojo · 05/07/2025 22:29

@HauntedBungalow haha that made me laugh.
I guess I better forget about my plans for that multi-million pound bank heist then ..

OP posts:
CaptainFuture · 05/07/2025 22:29

ToKittyornottoKitty · 05/07/2025 22:25

Yes they’d lock you up. Use that as your motivation to not get arrested if you need any 🤷‍♀️

This. Are you planning on engaging in illegal activity @jojojoeyjojo?

Fastingandhungry · 05/07/2025 22:28

Many suites (the modern ones) have full glass doors so the DP can see outside. But if you presented a risk to yourself or other you’d have to be secured, if you self harmed the door would be open with PCs on cell watch at the door.

You’d also see the custody nurse, who might consider 136.m depending on the circumstances.

youreactinglikeafunmum · 05/07/2025 22:28

Fratolish · 05/07/2025 22:22

'reasonable adjustments'?! Surely not. It's not a job interview...

I assume they'd have to get you seen by a nurse or something though.

😭😭 reasonable adjustments

Sorry op - agree they'd just lock you up x

Redglitter · 05/07/2025 22:28

Easiest solution is dont get arrested

Hermanfromguesswho · 05/07/2025 22:27

I’m watching the same show and just thinking that I could never go to jail because I have severe migraines and need my meds on me at all times. I’m feeling stressed at the very thought of it 😂

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 05/07/2025 22:27

I am very claustrophobic and I’m pretty sure they still lock you up. What else can they do? Sit with you constantly.

I know what you mean about it being an extra incentive to stay on the right side of the law.

I also have a real fear of ever being in handcuffs - due to the inability to scratch your face 😂

HauntedBungalow · 05/07/2025 22:25

No yanbu.

If you were arrested they would have to make reasonable adjustments including but not limited to:

  • transporting you in an open top van
  • leaving your cell door open save for when you require privacy
  • noise cancelling headphones to relieve anxiety
  • a safe space with neutral decor and calm, ambient lighting
  • a friendship bench
  • sticker chart for good behaviour
  • an officer designated "mother" you can chat about your feelings with
DontTouchRoach · 05/07/2025 22:25

LOL. Of course they still lock you up. They don’t make ‘reasonable adjustments’ FFS. You don’t get special treatment because you’re scared. Being arrested and locked in a cell isn’t actually meant to be a comfortable experience.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 05/07/2025 22:25

Yes they’d lock you up. Use that as your motivation to not get arrested if you need any 🤷‍♀️