NLJ this week: Think hard before apprehending a suspected wrongdoer

Parpworth, of Leicester De Montfort Law School, explains that ‘making a lawful citizen’s arrest is by no means a straightforward exercise due to the current state of the law’. He proceeds to set out the legal position and many accompanying pitfalls.

If still undeterred, pay special attention to the section of Parpworth’s article which looks at ‘traps for wannabe crimefighters’, including the circumstances in which ‘the citizen will be personally liable to anyone they have unlawfully arrested’.

The author concludes by urging reform of the law governing citizen’s arrest.