There to Help Research Series
There to Help 3 (2020)
In September 2020, NAAN published it's third report, analysing the year 2018/19. It found that:
- Police recorded identification of the need for appropriate adults remained low in custody and lower in voluntary interviews
- The presence of Liaision and Diversion services was associated with higher recorded rates but many L&D clients did not have an AA
The report made 10 recommendations.
Media coverage included:
- The Guardian: Report raises alarm over police detention of vulnerable suspects in England and Wales
- The Justice Gap: Appropriate adults: police forces failing to provide safeguards for vulnerable suspects
There to Help 2 (2019)
In May 2019, NAAN published a further report, this time based on the year 2017/18. It found that since the original There to Help report:
- Police identification of vulnerable suspects had improved but remained much lower than the actual rate of prevalence
- Many adult suspects who were recorded as vulnerable by Liaision and Diversion services were not provided with an appropriate adult
- The availability of appropriate adult schemes had improved but significant gaps remained.
The report made 14 recommendations.
Media coverage included:
- The Guardian: Report raises alarm over police detention of vulnerable suspects
- The Justice Gap: More than 100,000 vulnerable adults a year detained by the police without ‘appropriate adult’
There to Help (2015)
The resulting report There to Help (2015) found that in the year 2013/14:
- Adults who are mentally vulnerable were significantly under-identified in police custody
- There was a substantial lack of provision of appropriate adult provision for mentally vulnerable adults in many parts of England and Wales.
The report made 10 recommendations.
The report gained significant attention on TV, radio and in the press. The Home Secretary promised action to ensure all vulnerable people got the support of an appropriate adult. The Home Office established a working group to consider the recommendations.
