§ 36. Mr. Norman Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied that all those young persons arrested and taken to the police station for questioning following the violence in Tottenham on 6 October last were given full advice as to their statutory rights and were accorded full access to solicitors, parents or friends within the time prescribed.
§ Mr. Giles ShawSection 62 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 entitled an arrested person to have someone informed of his arrest, with no more delay than is necessary in the interest of the investigation or prevention of crime or the apprehension of offenders. There are no other relevant statutory requirements. Informal arrangements to operate some of the provisions of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act and its associated codes of practice which will come into effect on 1 January 1986 in advance of that date have no statutory authority. If any of those arrested believes he was mistreated by the police in any way, it is open to him to make a formal complaint to the Commissioner, who will cause the matter to be investigated in accordance with the statutory requirements.