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What to do if…
someone you care about is taken into custody and you are asked to arrange support or collect belongings

Short answer

First, confirm where they are being held and ask what the official process is for releasing property to you—don’t travel to a station or prison “just in case” without authorisation and clear instructions.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t argue details of the alleged offence with staff or try to “explain it away” over the phone; focus on immediate welfare and logistics.
  • Don’t assume you can collect belongings on arrival; custody suites usually require the person to nominate you (or a set process) and you may be turned away without it.
  • Don’t accept loose items (cash, cards, phones, keys) from strangers at the scene without documenting what you received and from whom.
  • Don’t send property into a prison (clothes, phones, toiletries) before checking that prison’s rules—many items will be refused, stored, or returned.
  • Don’t post about the arrest online or message lots of people for “help”; it can create avoidable complications and stress.

What to do now

  1. Confirm the holding location and status (police station vs court vs prison).
    If you don’t know where they are, use 101 (or the police force’s published non-emergency number) and ask which custody suite has them. If you do know the station, ask for the custody desk/custody sergeant and confirm: their name/DOB (if requested), whether they’re still there, and whether they can authorise/note a property release to you.

  2. Ask for the reference you’ll need and whether there’s a property record.
    Ask for (or note) any custody reference/number staff can share, and ask: “Is their property logged on a property sheet/record, and is anything being kept as evidence?”

  3. Confirm what can be released to you and what cannot.
    Request clarity on:

    • which items are standard “property” (often releasable), versus items retained as evidence (often not releasable now)
    • what you must bring (ID; any written authorisation; any reference number)
    • collection hours and exactly where to go on arrival

  4. Get authorisation in the exact form the custody suite requires—before you travel.
    Ask staff what they will accept and whether they can note you as the nominated collector on the custody record. Don’t rely on assumptions about letters/texts/phone approvals—do what that custody suite says.

  5. If you are asked to collect belongings from an arrest scene (home/car/work), make it a narrow, safe trip.

    • If police are still present, ask for the officer’s name/collar number and any property receipt/reference for items removed or seized.
    • Take only what is clearly practical and safe to store: keys, wallet, essential documents you’re confident are needed, glasses, basic clothing, and a written list of prescriptions/health needs (not medication unless police/custody staff explicitly request it).
    • Photograph what you take before you leave and keep it together in one bag.

  6. Support their immediate welfare without getting pulled into case details.

    • Ask whether they’ve requested a solicitor (including the duty solicitor) and whether staff can pass urgent welfare information (childcare responsibilities, serious medical needs).
    • If you can speak to them, keep it simple: “Ask for legal advice; tell staff any urgent medical or safety needs; tell them you want me as your nominated property collector (if you do).”

  7. If they are transferred to prison, switch to prison property rules immediately.
    Ask which prison and whether property will be:

    • sent with them,
    • stored for later issue, or
    • released to a nominated person.
      If you need to hand in or collect property, ask for the prison’s property office process and permitted items—rules vary and are tightly controlled.

  8. Write down a clean timeline and keep receipts.
    In one note, record: who you spoke to, date/time, station/prison, reference numbers, what you were told, and what you collected.

What can wait

  • You don’t need to decide whether to complain, contact media, or “fight the case” right now.
  • You don’t need to gather character references, screenshots, or long explanations for anyone today.
  • You don’t need to buy/send phones, chargers, toiletries, or clothing to prison until you have that prison’s current rules and (if applicable) their prison number.

Important reassurance

It’s normal to feel pressured to “do something” immediately. In custody situations, the safest helpful move is often procedural: confirm location, follow the property-release process, and keep good notes. That is real support.

Scope note

This is first-step guidance for the first hours/days. Legal advice and ongoing support arrangements can change depending on whether they’re in police detention, at court, or in prison.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. Police and prison procedures can differ across forces and establishments, and staff may be limited in what they can tell you. If anything feels unclear, ask staff to repeat the process and what proof/authorisation they require before you travel.

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