Social services and police involvement over allegations

[worrier282728]

On behalf of my sister and looking for some advice. My sister lives with her partner/children’s dad and been together 6 years. They have a 2 year old and 9month old.

At the weekend police had been called by we presume a neighbour who has always been a bit funny with them to say the children had been left for a long period on their own and they suspect sisters partner of drug dealing.

My sister had indeed gone for a short walk that evening whilst her FIL was staying and watching the children. Her partner has been arrested whilst having a drink at local pub on suspicion of whatever then dearrested and let go and has not heard anything since.

Social services visited the next day to speak to them and visit the home. The SS worker said the kids were thriving and doesn’t think anything further will come of it. My sister has now had a call from the child protection services police officer to go in to give a statement. She is now even more worried what is going to happen although nothing has gone on. She is going to use the duty solicitor. Is this standard practice and them just following up do you think? Sorry of this doesn’t make much sense. I feel stressed for her and just want to give her reassurance.

If your sister's partner was arrested, spoken to in the back of a police car and then de-arrested within 10 minutes, it suggests they found nothing untoward. There's nothing stopping the police from re-arresting him though, if new evidence comes to light. The statement might relate to the neighbours complaint, especially if he/she has said 'I saw Tom with a man, on Tuesday night outside The Red Lion pub, exchanging money for a package'. They might need a statement confirming his whereabouts on certain days/times.

When your sister “went for a walk”, her partner was at home or was this when he was at the pub getting arrested?

@Joubert1not sure what you are suggesting? Her partner was at the pub. She went to walk the dog like normal around 9pm.

So the kids were or weren’t alone?

Do you know if he is dealing drugs, but there may not be enough evidence to convict him, or he is absolutely innocent? Are you sure FIL was there when she went out walking the dog? It may be just someone being vindictive or something may be going on, just watch out for the children.

He probably wasn’t arrested at all. De arrested? Let go? Depends what they said to him doesn’t it? Could be they are looking for more evidence but he’s not been questioned with a solicitor present so he wasn’t arrested. He would have had rights if he had been and that’s not possible in a police car!

If fil states he was baby sitting, he was. There’s not much else to be said if that’s true! SS will follow up neglect reports and they have. Duty solicitor? That’s petty crime territory - I’d get someone better! What are the grounds for more questioning? That’s the basic issue.

Ah sorry fil was babysitting

truthfully… all sounds sketchy to me.

What relevant bits are you missing?

Sounds like it’s good that someone is keeping an eye on your DNs.

The best advice I can give is to follow the advice of the SS and only speak to the Police in the presence of the Duty Solicitor, if she’s at the Station.

Can’t comment on the arrests but I was repeatedly investigated by social services during a long case in the Family Courts and when ex used to make ludicrous accusations. They were very good, reasonably thorough and always gave me quite nice write ups. Just co-operate with them and don’t be defensive.