On Saturday 5th May 2012 Luton will be in the national spotlight as a

large scale protest will be taking place in the town centre.

This means that there will be lots of police officers and Community Support Officers on hand in the

town centre to help reassure people working in or visiting the

town or any affected areas.

On the day, regular updates will be posted on the Bedfordshire Police & Luton Borough Council Websitesand both organisation’s facebook and twitter sites (@lutoncouncil

@bedspolice)

There will also be a free SMS text system giving up-to-date information.If you want to receive updates from

the service on the day, which will come direct from the police – please text the

word POLICE to 88020

THESE ARE THE ONLY RECOMMENDED WAYS TO GET ACCURATE

INFORMATION ON THE DAY

WE WANT YOU TO STAY SAFE ON THE DAY

The police and council are working to ensure that the town centre operates as normal. We recommend that you

avoid the areas where demonstrations are taking place.

If you are in the town and an officer feels that you may become involved in any

criminal behaviour they will have the power to remove you to a place of safety where you will have to be collected by a

parent or guardian.

However if anyone does commit a crime you WILL be arrested and taken to a police

station

Remember CCTV is everywhere and

recordings will be looked at after the day

– you could still get arrested.

What happens if you’re arrestedIf a police officer thinks you have been involved in a crime they can arrest you and take you to a police station. If you are under 18, the police must tell your parent or carer as soon as possible. The police officer should tell you:• why you are being arrested • which crime they think you have committed • that you are not free to leaveThe officer can use reasonable force as a last resort to stop you trying to run away.

If you have been arrested, you’ll be taken to the custody

desk at the police station. The officer at the desk, the custody officer, will tell you why you’re being held.

You should tell the custody officer your:

• name • age

• address • home telephone number

• School

Arriving at a police station

You’ll be searched to make sure you don’t have anything on you that you shouldn’t, like a weapon. The police will take your property, like phones and money, while you are in the station. You’ll get these back when you’re let out unless they are needed to be used as evidence.

The custody officer will contact your parents or carer. You’ll be offered free help from a solicitor. You can ask to read the police rule book called the Codes of Practice. This tells you how the police should treat you.

You will be put in a detention room, which will be like a jail cell, until your parents or carers arrive. You don’t have to answer any police questions until your parents or carers get there. The cells will probably be covered by cameras which may also record sound.

Arriving at a police station

In 2011 a number of young people got caught in disorder that took place in

different parts of the UK. The majority were sent to prison even

if they had never been in trouble before.

And it wasn’t just young people who physically got involved in

crimes a number of young people were sent to prison for things they wrote on their Social media sites or

sent via BBM or text.

Possible consequences of actions could be...

• ARREST• 24 HOURS IN CUSTODY• DNA Taken• Details put on the Police National Computer• Possibility of being sent to a young offenders

institute (prison for young people)• Unable to visit other countries on holiday

including America

There are also lots of jobs you may not be able do if

you get a criminal record...

• Teachers• Police• Doctors• Scientist• Fire Service• Astronaut• Pilot