A drama produced as an educational package by Swing Bridge Video in collaboration with the North Eastern Legal Action Group to give young people information on their rights should they be stopped or arrested by the police under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. The opening credits done in the style of the Australian soap-opera ‘Neighbours’ overlayed onto a map of Gateshead. Title: In the Nick of Time A brief clip featuring cast members over their credits. Credit: Sharon...

A drama produced as an educational package by Swing Bridge Video in collaboration with the North Eastern Legal Action Group to give young people information on their rights should they be stopped or arrested by the police under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. The opening credits done in the style of the Australian soap-opera ‘Neighbours’ overlayed onto a map of Gateshead. Title: In the Nick of Time A brief clip featuring cast members over their credits. Credit: Sharon Alexander as Susan MacGregor Tony Neilson as Gary and also as P.C. Wilmott Paul Alder as Barrington ‘Baz’ Grant Denise Bryson as Denni and as W.D.C. Sweet Credit: A Swing Bridge Video Production The four main cast introduce themselves to the camera with Tony Neilson as both Gary and P.C. Wilmott. On a housing estate Susan, Gary, Baz and Denni stand beside of sit on a wall watching the following intertitle rolls past. Title: Police Powers and Young People’s Rights Denni asks Baz would he know what do if he was arrested? He jumps off the wall and pretends to do karate knocking Gary of the wall. P.C. Wilmott comes over to the remaining three youths wanting to know what they’re doing before moving them on. The four youths come down a set of steps outside Ronnies Dum Shop. They complain about being harassed by the police. Being white Gary doesn’t understand why the colour of the others skin should make a difference; it does. A series of mugshots of both men and women from various ethnic backgrounds. The four main cast are included. Title: The codes of practice make clear that colour of skin, styles of dress or hairstyles are not enough in themselves to justify a stop and search Sharon comes down a set of steps walking over to and leaning against a lamppost reading a copy of the ‘Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (s.66). Code of Practice’. The words ‘Stop and Search’ flashes above her head as P.C. Wilmott comes over demanding to know what is in her bag. She begins to read the Code of Practice to him, but P.C. Wilmott simply grabs it and throws it away. She concedes and shows P.C. Wilmott the content of her shopping bag. Inside a t-shirt, he asks how much for ‘this tat’. Title: Be polite, even when provided. P.C. Wilmott demands to see the content of her pockets, he finds a metal comb with a pointed handle and is insulting to her. Title: Offensive weapon?... Be careful what you say P.C. Wilmott holds the point of the comb in Sharon’s face and calls it an offensive weapon. She attempts to leave, but P.C. Wilmott grabs her and finds a microphone in her other pocket. P.C. Wilmott begins asking questions and she attempts to explain why she has it, she becomes flustered. P.C. Wilmott loom over Sharon telling her he believes she stole it. Title: You don’t have to answer questions In a musical rehearsal room, a copy of the ‘Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (s.66). Code of Practice’ lands onto a drum set. With a guitar in his hand Baz pick it up and begins reading from it about Stop and Search. Gary sits on a nearby speaker while Denni sits at the drums. They recreate a Stop and Search scenario to show how it should be done with Baz as a policeman looking for a stolen microphone in Denni’s pocket. Back with Sharon, she runs away from P.C. Wilmott who chases after her. He catches and arrests her. Title: Stay calm, don’t run away In a police van, Sharon is asked for her name and address, above her head the word ‘Arrest’ flashes. P.C. Wilmott cautions Sharon with the word ‘Caution’ appearing above her head. P.C. Wilmott tells her she’s in a lot of trouble, he asks her about being in a band and where they rehearse. Title: You don’t have to say anything P.C. Wilmott accuses Sharon of taking drugs and when she objects assumes she know where to get them. He pushes her to give him more information about local dealers. Title: Remember, anything you say can be used in evidence Sitting in the van Sharon’s friend’s heads appear superimposed next to her reminding her of the things she shouldn’t say. Denni tells Sharon to say nothing until you have someone with you. Title: The Interview In a police interview room W.D.C. Sweet goes through Sharon’s charge sheet, Sharon looks directly at the camera and explains what has happened to her since she arrived at the police station. She was given a piece of paper to read, but she as to scared to focus on it. Title: Even if you are scared, read everything carefully Sharon goes on to talk about been told that she could be strip searched if the police thought it was necessary. It was frightening not knowing what they could do. W.D.C. Sweet attempts to leave threating to put Sharon back in her cell, Sharon concedes saying she will cooperate. She answers the questions asked by W.D.C. Sweet relating to the microphone and other thefts from musical shops. Title: You have a right to remain silent Again, Sharon talks to camera about her watch and cigarettes being taken away and been locked up for more than two hours. Titles: Normally you have a right to have someone told of where you are Sharon asked to make a phone call, W.D.C. Sweet refuses and accuses her and the band of stealing musical gear from all over town. W.D.C. Sweet puts pressure on Sharon to answer her questions relating to her friends. She also assuming that being part of a band means they are on drugs. In the rehearsal room Baz working to repair on one of the speakers, he hears a noise and P.C. Wilmott bursts into the room and begins to look around tipping the content of draws onto the floor. Title: Searching your home P.C. Wilmott continues to search the room finding another microphone in a draw, an altercation begins between P.C. Wilmott and Baz. Title: Stay calm even if provoked Baz is arrested and taken out of the room. Back at the police station W.D.C. Sweet brings in a hot drink for Sharon sitting beside her. She tells Sharon that the duty solicitor has been called, there’s nothing to do but wait. Title: Ask to see a solicitor – normally it’s your right W.D.C. Sweet tells Sharon that Baz is being interviewed and is being co-operative. She gives Sharon a clipboard with a record of what’s been said and asks her to sign it. Title: You do not have to sign anything. If you do, check it first Under pressure from W.D.C. Sweet Sharon signs the document. In another interview room P.C. Wilmott speaks with Baz accusing him and the other band members of theft. Baz asks for a duty solicitor, P.C. Wilmott refuses telling him he has no rights. He then gives Baz a copy of the Custody Record and tells him to sign it. P.C. Wilmott sits with his feet on the desk with Baz looking dejected. Back in the rehearsal room Baz and Sharon tell Gary and Denni about their experiences. Baz is cocky, Sharon is more thoughtful and tries to explain her experiences more seriously and about being frightened. To camera each of the characters say what they think the police should and should not do. They want a safe community, focus on real crimes rather than picking on young people or those they don’t like the look of such as people of colour. The group begin to tidy up the rehearsal room. As he makes a coffee Gary says that if we were millionaires fiddling their taxes we wouldn’t see a copper for miles. Sharon and Baz reflect on their experience, Denni says they could make a compliant, the group doesn’t think it would be a fair process. A montage of still black and white images showing the friends visiting independent organisation and a police monitoring unit in the area. They also visit the Gateshead Law Centre to speak with a Community Youth Worker. The film ends on a photograph of the band performing now in colour. Title: Thanks to all the young people who have given advise and help Title: Location and Equipment. Audiotracks, Broadcast Facilities North, Go Ahead Northern, North East Media Training Centre, Ronnies Dum Shop, Tom Ellison Credit: Actors Paul Adler, Sharon Alexander, Denise Bryson, Tony Neilson Editor Colin Bone Music Steve Cowgill Sound Graham Denman Engineer Brian McEvoy Production Assistant Jacqui Rutherford Title: Produced by Swingbridge Video in consultation with Manchester Police Monitoring Unit and North Eastern Legal Action Group Credit: Swingbridge Video. Lynne Colton, Steve Colton, Hugh Kelly, Sarah McCarthy, Gev Pringle End title: © Swingbridge Video 1987