Source: Mayor of London
- New £5.4million service funded by Sadiq will ensure that vulnerable adults across London have quick access to an independent appropriate adult to support them when in contact with the police.
- The first-ever London wide scheme will safeguard the rights, entitlements, and welfare of vulnerable adults for police processes including voluntary interviews and eye-witness testimonies.
- The new approach is part of a package of measures from City Hall to support the Met to improve the service it delivers for all Londoners, building on their hard work to exit special measures.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has launched a new £5.4miliion service to ensure vulnerable adults in contact with the police, including those taking part in voluntary police interviews, have timely access to an independent appropriate adult to support them.
The first-ever London wide scheme will safeguard the rights, entitlements and welfare of vulnerable adults, ensuring that they are treated in a fair and just manner, and are able to participate in police proceedings effectively.
The new approach is part a package of measures being funded by the Mayor to improve the service all Londoners receive from the police. It builds on the hard work of the Met to exit special measures and to respond to Baroness Casey’s review into the standards and culture at the Met Police.
In the UK, it’s a legal requirement for any child or any adult assessed as vulnerable to have an independent appropriate adult with them in any police interview[1], but until now, in London, no single agency has been responsible for providing this support, leading to inconsistency and gaps in provision, costly delays and pressure on resources. The new service will complement the work underway by the Met and the Mayor’s office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) to address Baroness Casey’s recommendations to increase confidence, trust and fairness amongst Londoners through the Commissioner’s New Met for London Plan[2].
The action by the Mayor also comes as figures show demand for appropriate adults increased by 10 per cent between 2019 and 2023 when more than 18,500 adults experiencing police custody or taking part in voluntary interviews with the police were assessed as vulnerable and requiring support to ensure their rights were safeguarded[3].
A person is considered vulnerable if a police officer deems that they may be prone to confusion, compliance or could unintentionally provide unreliable, misleading, or self-incriminating information. The new service will ensure that all those considered vulnerable are appropriately safeguarded and instil within them the trust and confidence that they will be treated fairly by the judicial system.
Adults with mental health issues and those with learning difficulties are just some of those who will benefit from the London-wide scheme and be assigned an appropriate adult to support them through a number of police processes – including during searches, interviews and eyewitness identification procedures[4].
The new £5.4miliion fund is the latest part of the Mayor’s record investment in the Met to raise standards, improve performance and help rebuild the trust and confidence of all of London’s communities in the Met police service.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Providing eye-witness statements and giving voluntary police interviews can be an extremely stressful time for anyone, so it is vital that the right support is available for those who are vulnerable and need assistance to help them understand their situation and ensure they are treated fairly and appropriately.
“My new London-wide appropriate adult scheme will guarantee timely access to the right support, reducing delays in custody which can have huge emotional, practical as well as financial cost.
“The service will also ensure that those from vulnerable communities have the confidence that they will be treated fairly, be believed, and can ultimately trust our policing and judicial system, which is vital to building a safer, fairer London for everyone.”
Geraldine Evans, Director of AAUK, said: “Our role as Appropriate Adults is essential in safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of vulnerable individuals. This partnership ensures they receive the necessary support to successfully navigate the complexities of the criminal justice system.
“The initiative underscores the shared commitment of MOPAC, MPS, and AAUK to uphold the rights of vulnerable individuals, promoting a standardised approach to service delivery, and guaranteeing that all vulnerable adults receive equal levels of professional care and support.”
Chris Bath, Chief Executive at National Appropriate Adult Network (NAAN), said: “Across the country, the lack of a legal duty to provide appropriate adults for vulnerable adults in police custody continues to undermine fairness and justice—a national issue left unaddressed for over 40 years.
“This inspiring example of local leadership will enhance police efficiency while ensuring vulnerable Londoners have access to high-quality, independent support to protect their rights and welfare.”
Alex Hawkins, CEO of The Appropriate Adult Service Ltd, said: “The Appropriate Adult Service (TAAS) is delighted to be working with MOPAC to provide essential support for vulnerable adults in police custody across London. MOPAC’s leadership in ensuring the provision of appropriate adults for vulnerable individuals marks a significant step forward.
“By working in partnership with The National Appropriate Adult Network and key figures within the criminal justice system, they are strengthening the campaign to secure statutory protection for all vulnerable adults.”