If the police want to speak to you, the first contact is often a call, a card through the door, a letter or an email. Many people hear “can we have a chat?” and ring back to explain themselves. That is usually a mistake.
In England and Wales that contact is commonly the start of a voluntary interview under caution. It is a formal procedure — not a casual conversation. The interview is recorded. You do not have to discuss the allegation on the phone. You are entitled to free legal advice before you attend.
Police Station Agent is a private defence website operated by Robert Cashman — NOT Kent Police. Legal services are delivered through Tuckers Solicitors LLP (SRA ID: 127795).
Key takeaways
- A call, card or letter is often an invitation to a voluntary interview under caution — not an informal chat.
- You do not have to discuss the allegation on the phone. Write down the officer’s details and stop there.
- You are entitled to free legal advice before you attend. It is not means-tested.
- Do not agree a date until a solicitor can be there. Ignoring the contact is unwise; rearranging so advice is in place is not.
Answer first
Do not ring back and “clear the air.” Take the officer’s name, station and number. Instruct a solicitor and let them confirm the appointment.
1) What that contact usually means
When police invite you to “have a chat,” attend for a voluntary interview, or send a letter asking you to come in, they are usually arranging an interview under caution. The caution means anything you say may be given in evidence. The interview is audio and (often) visually recorded. It carries the same evidential weight as an interview after arrest.
PACE Code C paragraph 3.21A sets out what must be explained when a voluntary interview is arranged: the purpose is to question you to obtain evidence about your suspected involvement in the offence(s) described when you were cautioned and told you were not under arrest. You must also be told about your right to free legal advice (including speaking to a solicitor on the telephone and having a solicitor present), information about the offence sufficient for effective defence advice, and other safeguards such as an appropriate adult or interpreter where required.
Rights and safeguards are not reduced because the interview is voluntary. Treat the first contact as the start of a formal process — not a favour you repay by explaining yourself on the phone.
2) What not to say on the phone
Do not discuss the allegation. Do not give your account, timelines, alibis, or explanations “to get it over with.” Do not apologise for something you have not been advised about. Do not speculate about witnesses, phones, messages or CCTV.
Take only practical details: the officer’s name and rank, station or unit, contact number, crime or reference number if given, alleged offence in outline if they volunteer it, and any proposed date, time and location. Say that you will take legal advice and that a solicitor will be in touch about the appointment.
Anything said before advice can still matter later. Keep the call short and factual.
3) Voluntary interview vs arrest
PACE section 29 covers voluntary attendance: if you attend to assist an investigation without having been arrested, you are entitled to leave at will unless you are placed under arrest. If a decision is taken to stop you leaving, you must be informed at once that you are under arrest.
Arrest without warrant is governed by PACE section 24 and PACE Code G. Arrest must be necessary on one of the statutory grounds. Code C paragraph 3.21 makes clear that a person attending voluntarily may only be prevented from leaving if arrest is necessary in accordance with Code G.
A voluntary interview is not “less serious” than custody. The recording and caution still apply. Choosing voluntary attendance can avoid overnight detention, but it does not make an unadvised account safer. PACE section 58 protects the right to consult a solicitor; for voluntary interviews, Code C paragraph 3.21A confirms free independent legal advice and the right to have a solicitor present.
4) Free legal advice before you attend
Legal advice for a police station interview — including a voluntary interview under caution — is free for everyone. It is not means-tested at this stage. You can speak to a solicitor before the date and have them present during the interview.
A solicitor can request disclosure, advise you in private, and help decide whether to answer questions, make no comment, or use a prepared statement. That advice depends on the individual case. Asking for advice does not make you look guilty.
Do not agree the interview date until your solicitor can attend. Rearranging so that advice is in place is normal. Ignoring the contact altogether is unwise and can lead to arrest or a warrant.
5) Information to collect
- Officer’s full name, rank and collar or warrant number if given
- Station, team or investigating unit
- Direct telephone number and email if offered
- Any crime, incident or reference number
- Alleged offence (only if police state it — do not invite a discussion)
- Proposed date, time and location of interview
- Whether attendance is described as voluntary and under caution
- Any letter, card, email or text — keep copies or photographs
Pass this information to your solicitor. Do not contact complainants or witnesses, and do not post about the matter on social media.
6) Next step if the interview is in Kent
If the proposed interview is at a Kent or Medway station — or you have already been contacted by Kent Police — instruct representation before you confirm the appointment. For a booked voluntary interview, use voluntary interviews. If someone is already in custody now, use current custody.
Ask for Robert Cashman, Tuckers Duty Solicitor. Legal services are provided by Tuckers Solicitors LLP (SRA ID: 127795). This site is independent defence information — not a police or custody contact page.
Related Kent guides
- Received a voluntary police interview letter in Kent?
- Is police station legal advice free in Kent?
- The first hour after a Kent arrest
- Police warrant or arrest in Kent — what to do
- Maidstone voluntary interviews
- Sevenoaks voluntary interview advice
- No further action after a Kent police interview
- Dartford voluntary interview advice
Police want to speak to you?
Do not discuss the allegation on the phone. Arrange free legal advice before you attend.
Ask for Robert Cashman, Tuckers Duty Solicitor. Legal services are provided by Tuckers Solicitors LLP (SRA ID: 127795).
Conclusion
If the police want to speak to you, treat the first call, card, letter or email as the start of a voluntary interview under caution — not an informal chat. Write down the officer’s details, stop discussing the allegation, and instruct a solicitor before any appointment is confirmed. Free legal advice is available before you attend.
Sources
- PACE Code C 2023 — paragraphs 3.21 and 3.21A (voluntary interviews) — GOV.UK
- PACE Code G 2012 — statutory power of arrest — GOV.UK
- PACE 1984, section 29 — voluntary attendance
- PACE 1984, section 58 — right to legal advice
- GOV.UK — If you're arrested: your rights
- SRA register — Tuckers Solicitors LLP (127795)
General information only — not legal advice about any individual case. While every care is taken to keep information accurate, errors may occur and the law changes. Do not rely on this page instead of advice from a qualified solicitor. If you believe something is incorrect, contact us to report a content error. Legal services are provided by Tuckers Solicitors LLP (SRA ID: 127795).