The Police Have Contacted You. What Happens Next Matters.
Initial contact from the police is rarely casual. Whether they have requested an informal chat or have attended your home or workplace, the decisions you make in the immediate aftermath will significantly influence the trajectory of any subsequent investigation.
What Not To Do
- Do not volunteer information: There is no such thing as an "off the record" chat. Any statements made to police officers can and will be recorded and potentially used against you.
- Do not attempt to "explain it away": Many professionals mistakenly believe they can resolve a misunderstanding through dialogue. This is a critical error. Investigators are trained to gather evidence, not to act as impartial arbiters of truth.
- Do not delete or alter digital records: Destroying emails, messages, or documents can lead to separate, often more serious, charges of perverting the course of justice.
- Do not discuss the matter with colleagues or friends: Conversations with third parties are not privileged and those individuals could be compelled to provide witness statements.
What To Do
- Politely decline to answer questions: State clearly that you are willing to cooperate but wish to seek legal advice before participating in any interview or answering substantive questions.
- Establish the nature of the inquiry: Ask the officers for their details, the station they are attached to, and the specific nature of the allegations or the purpose of their inquiry.
- Seek immediate strategic advice: Contact a specialist defence lawyer immediately. Do not use the duty solicitor if you have complex professional or business interests to protect.
When To Seek Advice
The optimal time to engage a strategic adviser is the moment you become aware of police interest, regardless of whether you have been formally arrested or invited for a voluntary interview. Early intervention allows us to manage communications with the police, establish the parameters of the investigation, and develop a comprehensive strategy that protects your legal position, your reputation, and your professional standing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will it look suspicious if I ask for a lawyer?
No. Requesting legal representation is a fundamental right. Investigators expect represented professionals to seek counsel. It demonstrates that you are taking the matter seriously, not that you are guilty.
Can the police force entry to my property without a warrant?
In specific, limited circumstances (such as to make an arrest for an indictable offence or to save life/limb), the police can enter without a warrant. However, in most investigative scenarios concerning professionals and business owners, a warrant is required.
Are You A...
Your profession shapes both the risk and the strategy. See how Craig works with regulated professionals.
Related Services
Police Investigations
Strategic defence advice from the first moment of police contact.
Pre-Charge Representation
Strategic intervention before the Crown Prosecution Service makes a charging decision.
Private Defence
Strategic private criminal defence for professionals and business owners facing high-stakes allegations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Suggested Reading
Understanding Criminal Investigations: A Strategic Guide
The definitive guide to criminal defence in England and Wales for professionals. What to expect, how to protect yourself, and how strategic defence works.
Police Search Warrants: A Strategic Guide for Homes, Businesses and Professionals
A strategic guide to police search warrants in England and Wales: the powers behind a search, what can be seized, privileged and protected material, and why the period immediately after the search may be decisive.
When the Authorities Freeze or Seize Your Money or Property: A Strategic Guide to POCA
A strategic guide to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 in England and Wales: cash seizure, Account Freezing Orders, restraint, confiscation and third-party property, and why identifying the precise power comes first.
The wider picture
What else could this affect?
An investigation rarely stays in one place. These are the areas that, depending on the facts, may also need to be considered.
Your liberty
A criminal investigation can carry the risk of arrest, bail conditions or, ultimately, prosecution; the position should be assessed early.
Your record
The outcome of an investigation may affect whether a criminal record arises, which can have consequences that reach well beyond the case itself.
Your reputation
An allegation, even one that is never charged, can create reputational exposure that benefits from a considered, strategic approach.
Your employer
An employer may become aware of, or need to consider, the allegation; the timing and approach can matter a great deal.
Your regulator or professional body
A regulator or governing body may take an interest in the same facts, and whether or when to engage should be considered with advice.
Your devices and data
Digital devices and data are often central to investigations; how they are handled should be approached carefully and lawfully.
Before you act
The decision you may be facing next
People in your position often face one of these decisions before anything else. Each one is best made with advice, not under pressure.
Should I call the police back before taking advice?
Should I agree to attend an interview?
Should I answer questions in interview?
Should I seek pre-charge representation now?
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Over 700 Trials Conducted Personally
Unparalleled courtroom experience built across two decades. Every case is led by Craig MacKenzie, not delegated.
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Early Intervention Changes Outcomes
Engaging specialist counsel before formal proceedings begin consistently produces better outcomes for clients.
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Experience in the Most Serious Cases
From murder and terrorism to organised crime, large-scale conspiracies and cross-border investigations, Craig MacKenzie has extensive experience defending clients in the most serious and complex criminal cases. That experience shapes every decision, from the first police interview through to trial.
Do You Require Advice About Your Circumstances?
This material provides general information and is not a substitute for advice about a specific investigation or case.
Craig provides legal services exclusively through Forbes Solicitors. To make an initial enquiry, contact Craig at:
craig.mackenzie@forbessolicitors.co.uk
An enquiry does not constitute an instruction. Forbes Solicitors must confirm in writing that it has accepted the matter before any solicitor–client relationship arises.