Statement Writing (MG11)
How to structure and write an admissible MG11 witness statement — first person past tense rules, what to include and exclude, common mistakes, court admissibility, and writing under pressure using ADVOKATE.
Unofficial independent resource — always verify with official sources (College of Policing, your force, PFEW).
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How should a police officer structure and write an MG11 witness statement?
An MG11 statement follows five parts: a heading block (name, DOB, address/occupation, or collar number/rank/station for officers, plus the URN), the standard s.9 Criminal Justice Act 1967 preamble declaring the statement true and warning of prosecution for a wilfully false statement, numbered chronological body paragraphs written in the first person and past tense, exhibit references labelled with initials and a sequential number (e.g. AB/1), and a signature block on every page.
It must include precise times, full descriptions, exact locations, words spoken verbatim, the actions taken and the grounds for them, exhibit references, and negative findings. It should not include opinion or speculation, hearsay (other than direct observation), legal conclusions, irrelevant background, or the officer's feelings — these can be challenged or excluded in court.
A reference to writing accurate, admissible witness statements on the MG11 form — from the standard structure and the first person past tense rule, to what a statement should and should not contain, the mistakes defence counsel look for, court admissibility, and practical tips for writing under pressure. It is educational reference, not a substitute for your force's statement policy.
MG11 Form Structure
The MG11 is the standard witness statement form used by all UK police forces. Every statement must follow this structure to be court-admissible.
1. Heading Block
Full name, date of birth, address, occupation. For officers: collar number, rank, station, and duty status at time of incident. Always include the URN (Unique Reference Number) in the top right.
2. Preamble
The standard opening: "This statement (consisting of [X] pages each signed by me) is true to the best of my knowledge and belief and I make it knowing that, if it is tendered in evidence, I shall be liable to prosecution if I have wilfully stated anything in it which I know to be false, or do not believe to be true." This is the s.9 Criminal Justice Act 1967 declaration; wilfully making a false statement under it is an offence under s.89 CJA 1967, carrying a maximum of 2 years' imprisonment on indictment.
3. Body Paragraphs
Numbered paragraphs, one topic per paragraph. Chronological order. First person, past tense throughout. Include times, locations, descriptions, and actions taken.
4. Exhibit References
Each exhibit must be referenced in the body and labelled with your initials and a sequential number (e.g. AB/1, AB/2). Describe what the exhibit is at the point you introduce it.
5. Signature Block
Sign and date every page at the bottom. The final page includes your full signature, date, and the witness taking the statement signs and dates to confirm they have witnessed you sign.
First Person Past Tense Rules
All statements must be written in first person ("I") and past tense. This is not optional — it is a requirement for admissibility.
CORRECT examples
- "At 14:23 hours I attended the address at 12 High Street..."
- "I observed a male matching the description given..."
- "I arrested the defendant and cautioned him using the following words..."
- "I examined the exhibit, labelled AB/1, which I describe as..."
INCORRECT examples
- "We then go to the address..." — wrong tense, wrong person.
- "The officer attended the scene..." — third person.
- "I will now describe the male..." — wrong tense.
- "Officers could see the damage..." — third person.
What to Include
A statement must contain enough detail that another officer reading it years later could understand exactly what happened, without needing to ask you.
- Precise times — use the 24-hour clock throughout. 'At approximately 14:30 hours' if unsure; exact times from your notebook if recorded.
- Full descriptions — IC code, height, build, hair colour/length, clothing (colour, brand, distinctive features). Every person you refer to.
- Exact locations — full address or grid reference. Include which side of the road, doorway number, junction of X and Y road.
- Words spoken verbatim — quote exactly what was said. Use speech marks. If you cannot recall exact words, say 'words to the effect of'.
- Actions taken and why — what you did, in what order, and the grounds/reason for each decision (e.g. grounds for arrest, grounds for search).
- Exhibit references — every exhibit you seized, found, or examined must be referenced with its exhibit label in the body of the statement.
- Negative findings — if you searched an area and found nothing relevant, say so. Negative results are evidence too.
What NOT to Include
These common errors can undermine your credibility in court and may cause the statement or specific paragraphs to be challenged or excluded.
- Opinions and speculation — 'He seemed guilty' or 'I think he was drunk' — unless you are qualified to give that opinion (e.g. as a drugs wipe or intoxilyzer operator).
- Hearsay (usually) — what someone else told you they witnessed. Hearsay has strict admissibility rules under CJA 2003 ss.114-118 — seek advice if in doubt. Your direct observations are always safe.
- Legal conclusions — 'He committed an assault' is for the court to decide. Say 'he struck the victim on the face with a closed fist'.
- Irrelevant background — the defendant's previous convictions, unrelated history, or information you did not personally observe.
- Your feelings/emotions — 'I was scared' is rarely relevant. Focus on observable facts and actions, not your emotional state.
Common Mistakes Officers Make
These mistakes are picked apart by defence counsel in court.
| Mistake | How to avoid it |
|---|---|
| Tense switching | Switching between past and present tense within the same statement. Proofread specifically for this. |
| Missing exhibit references | Seizing an exhibit but not mentioning it in the statement body. Every exhibit label must appear in the text. |
| Vague descriptions | 'A male walked towards me' — which male? Describe them properly at the first mention, then use 'the male' or their name thereafter. |
| Not recording exact caution wording | Write the full caution verbatim, not just 'I cautioned him'. Same for any significant replies. |
| Retrospective additions without flagging | Any addition after the statement is signed must be initialled and dated. Never just add to an unsigned area. |
| Copying and pasting from another officer's statement | Your statement must reflect what YOU personally did and observed. Collaborating on content is problematic. |
Court Admissibility Considerations
The admissibility of a written witness statement rests on s.9 Criminal Justice Act 1967, which makes a written statement admissible to the like extent as oral evidence by agreement (or where no objection is raised), provided it contains the declaration of truth. The hearsay regime that governs what a statement may properly assert is set out in the Criminal Justice Act 2003, ss.114-118, with s.114 as the admissibility gateway.
Section 9 CJA 1967 — Agreement to read statement
A witness whose evidence is not disputed can have their statement read to the court rather than attending in person, provided the statement is served in advance and no party objects within the time allowed. The witness must still complete a section 9 declaration on the statement form.
Unused material and CPIA
Draft or unused statements are subject to disclosure obligations under the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996, whose s.23 Code of Practice requires investigators to record, retain and reveal such material. Even unused versions of a statement you later rewrote may need to be disclosed to the defence. Keep all drafts.
Refreshing memory from notes
While giving evidence you may refresh your memory from a document you made or verified earlier, if it recorded your recollection when it was significantly better (Criminal Justice Act 2003 s.139) — e.g. your pocket notebook. The defence is entitled to inspect those notes. Your statement should match your notes — any discrepancy will be challenged.
Tips for Writing Under Pressure
Write it contemporaneously whenever possible
The closer in time to the event, the more accurate. A statement written at the end of a 12-hour shift is far less reliable than one written at the scene. If you cannot write immediately, make detailed notebook entries and write the statement as soon as practicable.
Use the ADVOKATE model as a checklist
Amount of time under observation — Distance — Visibility — Obstruction — Known or seen before — Any reason to remember — Time lapse — Errors or discrepancies. Run through this when describing any witness identification.
Draft structure before you write
Jot bullet points in chronological order before starting the formal statement. This prevents you from remembering something important halfway through and having to insert it awkwardly.
Ask a colleague to proofread
A fresh pair of eyes will spot tense errors, missing exhibit references, and gaps in the timeline that you have missed. This is especially important for statements that will go to serious or contested cases.
Related reading
Primary sources
BlueLineHub is independent and unofficial. Always verify with the authoritative source below.
- Verify on official source
Criminal Justice Act 1967, section 9 — proof by written statement
Makes a written statement admissible to the like extent as oral evidence by agreement or where no objection is raised, and is the basis of the MG11 preamble declaration of truth.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Criminal Justice Act 1967, section 89 — false written statements tendered in evidence
The offence of wilfully making a false statement in a document tendered in evidence under s.9, which the MG11 declaration warns of (max 2 years' imprisonment on indictment).
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996, section 23 — Code of Practice
The Code of Practice imposing the record, retain and reveal duties on investigators for unused material, including earlier or draft witness statements.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Criminal Justice Act 2003, section 114 — admissibility of hearsay evidence
The gateway provision of the hearsay regime (CJA 2003 ss.114-118) governing when a statement not made in oral evidence is admissible as evidence of the matter stated.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Criminal Justice Act 2003, section 139 — use of documents to refresh memory
The statutory basis for a witness refreshing their memory from a document (e.g. a pocket notebook) made or verified earlier while their recollection was significantly better.
Last checked: August 2026
Frequently asked
- What is the standard structure of an MG11 witness statement?
- Five parts: a heading block (identity details and the URN), the s.9 Criminal Justice Act 1967 preamble declaring the statement true, numbered chronological body paragraphs in the first person and past tense, exhibit references labelled with initials and a sequential number, and a signature block on every page.
- Why must a statement be written in the first person and past tense?
- It is a requirement for admissibility — the statement records what you personally did and observed, at the time you write it, not a general or present-tense account. 'I attended the address' is correct; 'we go to the address' or 'the officer attended' is not.
- What happens if a statement contains something wilfully false?
- The MG11 preamble is the s.9 Criminal Justice Act 1967 declaration of truth. Wilfully stating something in a tendered statement that you know to be false, or do not believe to be true, is an offence under s.89 Criminal Justice Act 1967, carrying a maximum of 2 years' imprisonment on indictment.