§ Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the provision of two-way mirror identity parade facilities at police stations. [59408]
§ Mr. BoatengThe Government believe that the provision of two-way screens for identity parades at police stations is helpful. Such screens serve to protect and reassure witnesses who may be anxious about being seen by the person suspected of committing the offence.
The conduct of identification parades is regulated by the Code of Practice for the Identification of Persons by Police Officers (Code D) issued under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. This provides that an identification parade may take place either in a normal room or in one equipped with a screen permitting witnesses to see members of the parade without being seen.
The provision of facilities for the conduct of identification parades is a matter for chief officers. Figures are not collated centrally on the number of police stations equipped with such screens, or on those having purpose-built identification suites.