It's my understanding that if the police suspect you have commited a crime and they advise you of what crime they suspect, then you are obliged to provide details if asked, and failure to do so is an offence in itself. Note that it hinges on what they suspect, as opposed to what you have or haven't actually done. In my case they initially suspected I had committed an offence, but were able to be convinced otherwise with a little further explanation from me.
& that's the reason I asked and why it's so important to know, you don't have to give them your details unless you're arrested for the offense and there's no such offence of not giving your details on suspicion of anything as suspicion is only opinion without evidence.
whoaaa thats a crazy law!Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995
An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to criminal procedure in Scotland.www.legislation.gov.uk
This seems to back up my understanding, as outlined in post #22. Note that this could well be specific to Scotland, where the encounter happened.
Either way, I was spared the issue by clarifying that I was not committing a crime before they asked for my details.
Does indeed seem a bit overreaching. If PC Plod wants your details then they just need to "suspect" you of committing a crime and tell you that, then you're forced to provide the details.
The police college line is "...someone fitting your description was seen near **** where the offense of **** was reported (fill in blanks as applicable)".
