Recording interviews — audio and visual (Codes E & F)
Where to find the provisions on recording suspect interviews: the statutory basis in sections 60 and 60A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, the PACE Code E provisions on audio recording, and the PACE Code F provisions on visual recording with sound — each reproduced verbatim from the primary source.
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When must a police interview be recorded?
The interviews and matters that must be audio-recorded are set out in PACE Code E section 2 (paragraphs 2.1 and 2.2), and the way the recording is conducted is dealt with in Code E section 3; the statutory basis is section 60 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. All are reproduced verbatim below.
Visual recording with sound is governed by Code F — and, as Code F paragraph 2.2 states (reproduced verbatim below), there is no statutory requirement to make a visual recording. Section 60A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 is the enabling power.
This card points to the provisions on recording an interview with a suspect: the statutory basis for audio and visual recording, the PACE Code E provisions on audio recording, and the PACE Code F provisions on visual recording with sound. The exact words of each provision are reproduced verbatim below from the primary source — read the provision itself, not a summary. It is educational reference, not legal advice — verify against current law and force policy.
The statutory basis
(1) It shall be the duty of the Secretary of State—
(a) to issue a code of practice in connection with theaudio recording of interviews of persons suspected of the commission of criminal offences which are held by police officers at police stations; and
(b) to make an order requiring the audio recording of interviews of persons suspected of the commission of criminal offences, or of such descriptions of criminal offences as may be specified in the order, which are so held, in accordance with the code as it has effect for the time being.
(2) An order under subsection (1) above shall be made by statutory instrument and shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
(1) The Secretary of State shall have power—
(a) to issue a code of practice for the visual recording of interviews held by police officers at police stations; and
(b) to make an order requiring the visual recording of interviews so held, and requiring the visual recording to be in accordance with the code for the time being in force under this section.
(2) A requirement imposed by an order under this section may be imposed in relation to such cases or police stations in such areas, or both, as may be specified or described in the order.
(3) An order under subsection (1) above shall be made by statutory instrument and shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
(4) In this section—
(a) references to any interview are references to an interview of a person suspected of a criminal offence; and
(b) references to a visual recording include references to a visual recording in which an audio recording is comprised.
When an interview must be audio-recorded (Code E)
2.1 Subject to paragraph 2.3, if an authorised recording device (see paragraph 1.6(a)) in working order and an interview room or other location (see Note 1A) suitable for that device to be used, are available, then that device shall be used to record the following matters:
(a) any interview with a person cautioned in accordance with Code C, section 10 in respect of any summary offence or any indictable offence, which includes any offence triable either way, when:
(i) that person (the suspect) is questioned about their involvement or suspected involvement in that offence and they have not been charged or informed they may be prosecuted for that offence; and
(ii) exceptionally, further questions are put to a person about any offence after they have been charged with, or told they may be prosecuted for, that offence (see Code C, paragraph 16.5 and Note 2C).
(b) when a person who has been charged with, or informed they may be prosecuted for, any offence, is told about any written statement or interview with another person and they are handed a true copy of the written statement or the content of the interview record is brought to their attention in accordance with Code C, paragraph 16.4 and Note 2D.
See Note 2A
Code E (2018)
2.2 The whole of each of the matters described in paragraph 2.1 shall be audio-recorded, including the taking and reading back of any statement as applicable.
Code E (2018)
Conducting the audio recording (Code E)
3.3 When the suspect is brought into the interview room or arrives at the location where the interview is to take place, the interviewer shall, without delay but in the suspect’s sight, unwrap or open the new recording media, load the recording device with new recording media and set it to record.
Code E (2018)
3.6 The interviewer shall:
caution the suspect, see Code C section 10; and
if they are detained, remind them of their entitlement to free legal advice, see Code C, paragraph 11.2; or
if they are not detained under arrest, explain this and their entitlement to free legal advice (see Code C, paragraph 3.21) and ask the suspect to confirm that they agree to the voluntary interview proceeding (see Code C paragraph 3.22A).
Code E (2018)
When an interview is visually recorded (Code F)
2.1 For the purpose of this Code, a visual recording with sound means an audio recording of an interview or other matter made in accordance with the requirement in paragraph 2.1 of the Code of Practice on audio recording interviews with suspects (Code E) (see Note 2A) during which a simultaneous visual recording is made which shows the suspect, the interviewer and those in whose presence and hearing the audio recording was made.
Code F (2018)
2.2 There is no statutory requirement to make a visual recording, however, the provisions of this Code shall be followed on any occasion that the ‘relevant officer’ described in Code E paragraph 2.4 considers that a visual recording of any matters mentioned in paragraph 2.1 should be made. Having regard to the safeguards described in paragraph 1.5A, examples of occasions when the relevant officer is likely to consider that a visual recording should be made include when:
(a) the suspect (whether or not detained) requires an appropriate adult;
(b) the suspect or their solicitor or appropriate adult requests that the interview be recorded visually;
(c) the suspect or other person whose presence is necessary is deaf or deaf/blind or speech impaired and uses sign language to communicate;
(d) the interviewer anticipates that when asking the suspect about their involvement in the offence concerned, they will invite the suspect to demonstrate their actions or behaviour at the time or to examine a particular item or object which is handed to them;
(e) the officer in charge of the investigation believes that a visual recording with sound will assist in the conduct of the investigation, for example, when briefing other officers about the suspect or matters coming to light during the course of the interview; and
(f) the authorised recording device that would be used in accordance with paragraph 2.1 of Code E incorporates a camera and creates a combined audio and visual recording and does not allow the visual recording function to operate independently of the audio recording function.
Code F (2018)
Read the full Code chapter
- These are the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 Codes of Practice for England and Wales; Northern Ireland operates its own PACE (NI) Codes.
- Always read the provision itself, in the verbatim text above, before relying on any requirement or wording — this card does not restate them.
Related reading
Primary sources
BlueLineHub is independent and unofficial. Always verify with the authoritative source below.
- Verify on official source
PACE Code E 2018 (accessible version) — audio recording of interviews with suspects
Code E provisions on the interviews and matters to be audio-recorded (section 2) and on conducting the recording (section 3).
Last checked: October 2026 - Verify on official source
PACE Code F 2018 (accessible version) — visual recording with sound of interviews with suspects
Code F provisions on visual recording with sound, including that there is no statutory requirement to make a visual recording (section 2).
Last checked: October 2026 - Verify on official source
Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, section 60 — audio recording of interviews
The statutory basis for the audio recording of interviews and for Code E.
Last checked: October 2026 - Verify on official source
Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, section 60A — visual recording of interviews
The enabling power for the visual recording of interviews and for Code F.
Last checked: October 2026
Frequently asked
- Must a police interview be audio-recorded?
- The interviews and matters that must be audio-recorded are set out in PACE Code E section 2 (paragraphs 2.1 and 2.2), reproduced verbatim on this card, with the statutory basis in section 60 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. Read the provisions themselves for the exact requirement.
- Is there a requirement to visually record (video) an interview?
- Code F governs visual recording with sound; as Code F paragraph 2.2 states — reproduced verbatim on this card — there is no statutory requirement to make a visual recording. Section 60A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 is the enabling power.
- What must the interviewer do when starting a recorded interview?
- Code E paragraphs 3.3 and 3.6, reproduced verbatim on this card, set out what the interviewer must do when conducting an interview recorded on a removable recording media device. Read the paragraphs themselves for the steps.