CDS Direct
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About CDS Direct
CDS Direct has been providing telephone advice to clients detained at police stations in England and Wales since 2005.
CDS Direct covers less serious offences – those limited to telephone only advice under the General Criminal Contract – e.g.
- drink driving offences
- non-imprisonable offences
- breach of bail
- warrants.
Benefits of the service include:
- speed – CDS Direct advisers are making 99% of calls to the police station with 30 minutes of receiving the call from the DSCC
- reduction in the overall time clients are held in detention
- increased value for taxpayers’ money.
CDS Direct expansion
Until recently, CDS Direct only provided telephone advice in duty solicitor matters. From 1 Feb 08 it expanded to take on own client work in three CJS areas: Greater Manchester, West Midlands and West Yorkshire.
This change was implemented following changes to the PACE code being approved by Parliament.
The expansion went smoothly with no technical problems and our first evaluation shows excellent performance statistics. 98% of calls were by CDS Direct to the police station within 15 minutes.
The full evaluation is under Documents.
National roll out
CDS Direct was rolled out across England and Wales from 9am on 21 Apr 08.
This means CDS Direct will take all calls for the less serious offences as listed above. The current providers will also provide the advice for the expanded service. The scope of the service will not change. See Documents for the:For more information
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Last updated: 23 April 2008