Just received the below email and attachments above from my LA Account Manager.  

I am concerned that the Met are writing directly to the LAA and asking them to send this stuff to us – I am especially concerned when they aren’t carrying out rapid antigen tests for detainees and ensuring that the new variant isn’t in a custody suite near us, especially when custody suites have been busy when I have attended (for the vulnerable and youths that really require face to face attendance). I have noted recently at Brixton all the hand sanitizers have been empty – these are the ones in the front office, outside custody and within the custody suite – when I complained I was told they were empty because they were being used (which they couldn’t be because they were empty!)   

An asymptomatic detainee arrested by officers could infect maybe as many as 60 people by the time he arrives at HMP Anywhere. Having spoken to a DSCC telephone operator the other day I was advised (when I asked if my detainee had covid symptoms) that people aren’t even asking anymore and that in speaking about 100 detainees a day, he said that he is advised that 1 detainee has presented with covid symptoms roughly every 6 weeks (1 detainee in 100 detainees a day, every 6 weeks).   Those who have Covid can cause devastation in the CJS (if they infect a wing and trials are adjourned) and potential personal devastation as people get sick.

We haven’t beat covid and we should be ensuring that rapid antigen tests are mandatory in these difficult times if the Met want us back working as normal – at least then being told that someone doesn’t have Covid would actually mean something.

I hope our professional bodies will be taking this up with The Law Society, The Legal Agency and anyone else who can ensure that we are safe whilst we work in police stations.

My Account Manager confirmed that we are still paid for remote attendances and that hasn’t changed.

Keima Payton

Payton’s Solicitors

Sent: 24 May 2021 16:31

Subject: Message from the Met Police

Hi

I hope you're well? The Metropolitan Police have asked us for assistance in disseminating the attached to crime providers regarding the ending of the use of remote attendances at Police Stations and asking solicitors to attend in person to deal with clients wherever possible.

The change in the Protocol has already gone out through the CLSA, Law Society & others so hopefully it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise to you!

Please direct any questions that you may have about this to the police

Best wishes