The Caution & Special Warnings
The exact wording of the police caution, the voluntary-attendance caution, the rights read by the custody officer, and the s.36/37 CJPOA 1994 modified caution (special warning) for failure to account for objects, marks or presence — verbatim scripts for officers, cited to the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 and the PACE Codes of Practice.
Unofficial independent resource — always verify with official sources (College of Policing, your force, PFEW).
Reviewed by BlueLineHub Editorial
What is the exact wording of the police caution?
The standard caution is: "You do not have to say anything. But, it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence." It must be given on arrest, before a formal interview, when suspicion shifts to a new person, and when a new offence is disclosed during interview.
A modified form — the special warning under sections 36 and 37 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 — is used when asking a suspect to account for an object, mark, or their presence at a place, and follows the same core wording after naming the offence and the matter being asked about.
A reference collecting the exact wording of the standard caution, the voluntary-attendance caution, the rights read by the custody officer, and the modified caution used under sections 36 and 37 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. It is educational reference, not tactical guidance — follow your force policy, training and current law.
Standard caution — on arrest or before interview
"You do not have to say anything. But, it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence."
When to caution
- On arrest
- Before formal interview
- When suspicion shifts to a new person
- When a new offence is disclosed during interview
Voluntary attendance
"You have attended voluntarily. You are not under arrest and are free to leave at any time. However, I must caution you..."
[Then deliver the standard caution]
Rights at custody — read by the custody officer
"You have the right to:
1. Have someone informed of your arrest.
2. Consult privately with a solicitor — this is free and independent of the police.
3. Consult the Codes of Practice covering police powers and procedures."
Modified caution — s.36/37 CJPOA 1994 (asking to account for objects, marks, or presence)
"I am arresting/have arrested you for [offence]. I am now going to ask you [about an object/mark/your presence at a place]. You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence."
Common mistakes
- Forgetting to caution after discovering a new offence
- Rushing through the caution so the detainee cannot understand it
- Not re-cautioning after a break in interview
- Failing to record the exact time of caution in notebook
Procedure cards
The same provisions, reproduced verbatim from the PACE Codes and Act sections, laid out in procedure order.
Related reading
Primary sources
BlueLineHub is independent and unofficial. Always verify with the authoritative source below.
- Verify on official source
Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, section 34 — effect of accused's failure to mention facts when questioned or charged
The statutory basis for the adverse-inference wording in the standard caution ("it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned...").
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, section 36 — effect of accused's failure to account for objects, substances or marks
The 'object/mark' limb of the modified caution (special warning), as labelled in the source material.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, section 37 — effect of accused's failure or refusal to account for presence at a particular place
The 'presence at a place' limb of the modified caution (special warning), as labelled in the source material.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
PACE Codes of Practice — Code C (detention, treatment and questioning) and Code E (audio recording of interviews)
Code C sets the exact wording of the caution and the custody rights read by the custody officer; Code E governs the recording of interviews in which the caution and special warnings are given.
Last checked: August 2026
Frequently asked
- What is the standard police caution?
- "You do not have to say anything. But, it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence." It is given on arrest or before a formal interview, when suspicion shifts to a new person, and when a new offence is disclosed during interview.
- What caution is used when someone attends voluntarily?
- "You have attended voluntarily. You are not under arrest and are free to leave at any time. However, I must caution you..." followed by the standard caution in full.
- What is the modified caution (special warning) under s.36/37 CJPOA 1994?
- It is used when asking a suspect to account for an object, mark, or their presence at a place: "I am arresting/have arrested you for [offence]. I am now going to ask you [about an object/mark/your presence at a place]. You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence."