Printed booklets provided to those in custody

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.24.038639

I note you seek access to the following information:

1. Can you confirm what happens in the event the person in custody advises that they are unable to read the supplied booklet, for whatever reason, including say if they are long sighted or have some sort of vision impairment and do not have their reading glasses with them; and have confirmed this to be the case? There could be other reasons, so your reply should cover all known cases this could happen. For instance, but not limited to: Illiterate / not able to read English / Under the influence of Drink and or Drugs / completely without any vision / Long Sightedness / Any other form of vision impairment - are just some examples.
2. Please confirm, do the Met police have a Large Print version of the same booklet they can provide for people that are long sighted (hyperopia or hypermetropia)? And if so, is it not unreasonable to expect the Custody Officer / Custody Sergeant to offer that large print version without being asked? especially given that the person in custody may not know what their rights and entitlements are at the time; and that they can and cannot ask for?
3. If a Large Print Version does exist, is it available at every Met Police station? If it does exist, from exactly what date was it generally available in all London Met police stations? When was it last printed? And wen was it last updated? And is it at the same version as the standard print size version? What version number is it at?
4. If a Large Print version does not exist, why not? How would the person in custody reasonably be able to read and understand their rights if they are in the difficult position of not being able to read the standard print version they have been offered / supplied?
5. In this situation, in my opinion, the person now in custody, is being discriminated against due to say having only long vision, compared to a person with perfect vision, (both short and long vision). Do you agree?
   I believe this to be a disability discrimination, unless full alternative means have been thought about, provided for and offered.
6. If a person who has advised that they are unable to read any provided information due to the fact say, they do not have their reading glasses with them (not everyone carries reading glasses with them all the time, but may make use of other means, say their mobile phone, but in this case, mobile phones are removed from anyone in custody); is it fair to say that the Custody Officer’s / Custody Sergeant’s actions have fallen well below the Met Police’s professional standards if they have not made good endeavour to provide an alternative option?
7. Is there available a printed summary of a person’s most basic rights, available? In both standard print size, and also in Large Print form for those with vision impairment - A version that is easily comprehensible?
8. Are there copies of the most basic rights and entitlements printed and affixed as a poster (or other means) to every London Met police station cell wall? And if not, why not?
9. Further, this question is not just about the Rights and Entitlements Booklet; but also all other printed booklets and information made available during a Met Police station custody situation (some examples, but not limited to; leaflets; booklets; legal information sheets; printed sheets about your ways to make a complaint about the Met Police) - Do the Met Police provide Large Print Versions of all standard size printed material that is offered to someone who has been arrested and is in Custody?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - Can you confirm what happens in the event the person in custody advises that they are unable to read the supplied booklet, for whatever reason, including say if they are long sighted or have some sort of vision impairment and do not have their reading glasses with them; and have confirmed this to be the case? There could be other reasons, so your reply should cover all known cases this could happen. For instance, but not limited to: Illiterate / not able to read English / Under the influence of Drink and or Drugs / completely without any vision / Long Sightedness / Any other form of vision impairment - are just some examples.

If someone was unable to read they would be considered to need an Appropriate Adult who would then read the information to them.

If they were unfit through drink or drugs, provided they were not sent to hospital, we would wait until they were fit, then establish their ability to read without the impairment.

Q2 - Please confirm, do the MET police have a Large Print version of the same booklet they can provide for people that are long sighted (hyperopia or hypermetropia)? And if so, is it not unreasonable to expect the Custody Officer / Custody Sergeant to offer that large print version without being asked? especially given that the person in custody may not know what their rights and entitlements are at the time; and that they can and cannot ask for?

Yes, a large print version of the Codes of Practice can be printed and supplied as needed.

Before the detainee is given their legal rights they are asked questions about their health, which include their ability to read, write and understand English, and which identify whether large print is required. This takes place before questioning, so we can ensure the detainee is treated fairly and appropriately during questioning. Such answers should be given by the detainee. When the offer is made for a copy of the Codes of Practice and the detainee requests this, the Custody Sergeant can ensure they are offered appropriate support.

Q3 - If a Large Print Version does exist, is it available at every MET Police station? If it does exist, from exactly what date was it generally available in all London MET police stations? When was it last printed? And wen was it last updated? And is it at the same version as the standard print size version? What version number is it at?

Q4 - If a Large Print version does not exist, why not? How would the person in custody reasonably be able to read and understand their rights if they are in the difficult position of not being able to read the standard print version they have been offered / supplied?

We only hold a few copies of the standard Codes of Practice in each custody suite and a copy of the braille version. All other versions are printed as needed in whatever size or language is required.

Instructions were provided to enlarge the font of the Codes of Practice in 2019, however the large font version has technically been available since they were published on the Gov.UK website.

Information on when the Codes of Practice were last printed is not held.

The Gov.UK website states that the revised PACE Code C was last updated on 20 December 2023, and the Notice of rights and entitlement summary was last updated on 20 August 2019.

The large print version contains the same content as the standard version.

The published document is maintained as the most recent version and is printed from the Gov.UK website as required.

Q5 - In this situation, in my opinion, the person now in custody, is being discriminated against due to say having only long vision, compared to a person with perfect vision, (both short and long vision). Do you agree?

I believe this to be a disability discrimination, unless full alternative means have been thought about, provided for and offered.

Q6 - If a person who has advised that they are unable to read any provided information due to the fact say, they do not have their reading glasses with them (not everyone carries reading glasses with them all the time, but may make use of other means, say their mobile phone, but in this case, mobile phones are removed from anyone in custody); is it fair to say that the Custody Officer’s / Custody Sergeant’s actions have fallen well below the MET Police’s professional standards if they have not made good endeavour to provide an alternative option?

Please note that no recorded information is held that answers these specific questions.

As explained above, the MPS makes appropriate adjustments for detainees with impairments or who are disabled, to ensure they are not placed at a disadvantage or discriminated against.

Q7 - Is there available a printed summary of a person’s most basic rights, available? In both standard print size, and also in Large Print form for those with vision impairment - A version that is easily comprehensible.

Yes. A printed summary is available within each custody suite and from the Gov.UK website: Remember your rights whilst detained.PDF

A large print version can be made available as required.

Q8 - Are there copies of the most basic rights and entitlements printed and affixed as a poster (or other means) to every London MET police station cell wall? And if not, why not?

No posters are placed on inside walls for safety. A person’s legal rights are explained to each detainee upon arrival and they are offered copies of the Codes of Practice.

Q9 - Further, this question is not just about the Rights and Entitlements Booklet; but also all other printed booklets and information made available during a MET Police station custody situation (some examples, but not limited to; leaflets; booklets; legal information sheets; printed sheets about your ways to make a complaint about the MET Police) - Do the MET Police provide Large Print Versions of all standard size printed material that is offered to someone who has been arrested and is in Custody?

The MPS only offers Codes of Practice and referral leaflets which list support agencies, in large print.