A NEW service to support people with mental or learning difficulties who find themselves in police custody is being set up in Redditch.
South Worcestershire Citizen Advocacy (soon to be Onside Independent Advocacy) aims to support adults who may be vulnerable to the distress or pressures of arrest by providing an "Appropriate Adult" at Redditch Police Station.
The responsible adult, who would be independent of the police, would look after the detained person's welfare, explain procedures and provide information on rights, ensuring they are protected.
The scheme will operate seven-days-a-week from 9am-9pm.
All Appropriate Adults will get training, an on-call fee and payment when actually called to attend interview.
For more details or to apply to become an Appropriate Adult, call scheme co-ordinator Rachel Russell on 01905 27525 or write to Onside Appropriate Adult Scheme, 11 Pierpoint Street, Worcester WR1 1TA or email: onside@btconnect.com
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