§ Mr. Gregoryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will issue guidance to chief officers of police to the effect that persons who are arrested and subsequently released without charge are offered assistance in travelling home; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThere is no requirement on the police to assist an arrested person to return after his release either to his home or to the place where he was arrested. As a matter of good practice, however, most police forces offer assistance in cases where the suspect is released without 639W charge. We are at present considering with chief officers of police whether central guidance on this issue would be helpful. I shall write to my hon. Friend in due course to let him know the outcome.