advice for what we should do if the police visit?

[vivariumvivariumsvivaria]

It occurred to me that I have no idea what I should do if the police came to my door.

Am I right in thinking that if they request an interview you can refuse to attend until you have posted on MN?

Can anyone point a boring, conformist, clean living woman who may have written polite emails, harbour stickers and haberdashery (and who is definitely offensively female) in the direction of practical advice?

I think Ceri Black politely refused all invitations to go to the station, Marion Millar and PP both attended with a solicitor, and Granarchist went alone.

Because, frankly, I'm now at the stage of "bring it on".

Posie Parker (I think she’s now Kellie Jay Keen on YouTube) has a short video on this.

@SwissBall

Posie Parker (I think she’s now Kellie Jay Keen on YouTube) has a short video on this.

iirc, JKJ advised purchasing the services of the most expensive solicitor that you can afford because it's a false economy if you don't and end up needing more advice for more elaborate proceedings.

You attend the interview with the solicitor, no comment your way the through the interview, and then read out the statement that your solicitor prepared for you at the end of the interview.

I can't find the link but I think that is the essence. We need the names and contact details of those solicitors. And the funds for them.

Yes, I don't even know how you'd decide who the right solicitor would be.

I'm realising that I've been far too Naice. How can I not know this stuff?

Found it, thank you, PP and PP.

Well for one - based on granarchist - I might start keeping 24hrs worth of my meds on my person.

Though obv there is a difference between police requesting a later interview, and being arrested and held.

Based on previous GC arrests, the thing to do seems to be to immediately start a crowdfunder to cover your legal fees, then once the charges get dropped, go mysteriously quiet and don't tell anyone what's happened to their money or whether they're going to get it back.

@BlueberryCheezecake

Based on previous GC arrests, the thing to do seems to be to immediately start a crowdfunder to cover your legal fees, then once the charges get dropped, go mysteriously quiet and don't tell anyone what's happened to their money or whether they're going to get it back.

I realise you've appointed yourself as a Greek Chorus and living archivist but I wonder about the accuracy of your account. I wonder if this is something you've documented or your perception.

@BlueberryCheezecake

Based on previous GC arrests, the thing to do seems to be to immediately start a crowdfunder to cover your legal fees, then once the charges get dropped, go mysteriously quiet and don't tell anyone what's happened to their money or whether they're going to get it back.

Oh noes!!! Somebody is cranky again that women are spending their money the way that THEY want to.

That's an excellent point, @BeyondShrinks.

And any menstrual products you may need.

Nice to see the usual suspects out to warn us of the dangers we run and the hideous crimes we might be guilty of if we stick ribbons or stickers or dare to raise our own funds.

@aweegc

And any menstrual products you may need.

Yes, important one. Kate Scottow told them she needed sanitary protection, and they ignored her and kept her in a cell for seven hours.

Oh yes, and she had a baby that was breastfed at home, didn't she?

Jesus.

@aweegc

And any menstrual products you may need.

Non-allergenic skin products so some of us can wash our hands safely. (In addition to the toothpaste kit.)

I'd imagine gluten-free people should carry their own snacks with them.

Spare face masks, spectacle wipes. I'm pretty cold most of the time so maybe I should carry one of those emergency foil blankets.

Will they let me take my rucksack of survival gear into the cell, though?

Because I've just added a crochet blanket I've been meaning to get on with, dry shampoo, a foot soak and a book of meditation.

If they're are your door they're there to arrest you not invite you to attend voluntarily.

But I wouldn't answer the door. They can't force entry unless they have a Section 18 search warrant or believe there is a genuine concern for your welfare.

Aren't you supposed to flag down a bus? Seriously, although unlikely this worries me. Is it true that tw police officers can carry out intimate searches of women? I hope this is just scaremongering.

If they're are your door they're there to arrest you not invite you to attend voluntarily.

Several people have had police to their door 'for a friendly chat' (including Graham Linehan, iirc). Wasn't it framed that way for Harry Miller?

Ceri Black had the police to her door and declined the invitation to interview anywhere. They certainly returned back in December to tell her that she's being referred to the prosecution service although I've lost track since then.

Ah, so they'd phone to request a voluntary interview, @Eatsleepgamerepeat. And that's the one you turn up with a solicitor, record everything, no comment and present a prepared statement.

If they arrive at your door they think they have enough evidence to prosecute you and want to interview you under caution. Which means finding a solicitor from the station with your one phonecall, or getting the duty solicitor who is probably very skilled but possibly lacks experience of helping middle aged women caught with ribbons in their pocket.

Is it true that tw police officers can carry out intimate searches of women?

Well, plenty of women were asking the police about this (on Twitter), and instead of answering 'yes' or 'no', the police account threatened to report the women asking about their rights for 'hate'.

So that's reassuring...

I'm actually really embarrassed that I don't know anything about this. I like to think that I'm not naive, but, I've never been in any trouble because I'm Very Very Boring.

So, opening the door is key? If you open the door they can arrest you, if you refuse they have to go and get paperwork.

I grew up with posters of the Lost Boys on my bedroom wall which has proven to be handy. The principles of vampire management apply - don't invite them in.

@Eatsleepgamerepeat

If they're are your door they're there to arrest you not invite you to attend voluntarily.

But I wouldn't answer the door. They can't force entry unless they have a Section 18 search warrant or believe there is a genuine concern for your welfare.

Mother of god!

Ps - ring doorbell!