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What to do if…
you are told your communications are being monitored as part of an investigation

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Stop discussing the investigation with anyone except a solicitor. Treat ordinary calls, messages, posts, screenshots, and indirect contact as potentially visible later.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t “clear it up” by calling or messaging the people you were warned about.
  • Don’t ask someone else to pass on a message, check what they know, or contact them for you.
  • Don’t delete chats, call logs, photos, posts, documents, or accounts unless your solicitor tells you to.
  • Don’t post hints, screenshots, jokes, explanations, or “vague” updates about it online.
  • Don’t confront the person who told you, or try to find out who is informing on whom.
  • Don’t ask friends or family to store your phone, take devices, hide items, or “sort evidence”.
  • Don’t assume a different app, device, account, or private group makes the contact safe.
  • If you are in prison or on remand, don’t discuss case details on ordinary calls, messages, or mail. Ask how to use the legal or privileged route.

What to do now

  1. Pause and narrow your communications.
    Until you have legal advice or written clarity, keep calls and messages strictly practical, such as “I’m safe” or “I’ll be late”. Do not discuss the investigation, the people involved, locations, timelines, explanations, or what anyone might say.

  2. Write down what you were told, exactly.
    Note the date, time, who told you, their exact words, and whether it sounded like police, prison staff, an employer, another official body, or a rumour. Keep the note private and factual.

  3. Get legal advice before speaking to police or investigators about the investigation.
    If you are at a police station, being interviewed under caution, or asked to attend a voluntary interview, ask for a solicitor before answering questions about the investigation. In England and Wales, PACE and its Codes set out rights and safeguards for police detention and suspect interviews. Processes differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland, so still ask for a solicitor and ask them what applies where you are.

  4. Check any bail, release, court, prison, or workplace paperwork you have.
    Look for non-contact conditions, named people, named places, social media restrictions, indirect contact rules, or reporting instructions. If you do not have the paperwork, ask your solicitor how to get the exact terms in writing.

  5. Make a temporary “do not contact” list.
    Include the people you were warned about and anyone closely connected to them. This is to prevent accidental replies, late-night messages, group chat comments, or “just checking in”.

  6. If you are in prison or on remand, ask for the legal communication route before discussing case details.
    Ask staff or your solicitor how to arrange a legal or confidential call, legal visit, or legal mail. Ordinary prison communications may be monitored; legal and confidential routes have separate rules and must be set up properly.

  7. Use one short reply if someone presses you.
    Say: “I can’t discuss that. I’m getting legal advice.” Then stop replying about the investigation.

What can wait

  • You do not need to work out today whether any monitoring is lawful.
  • You do not need to find out how monitoring is being done or how much anyone knows.
  • You do not need to write a statement, explain your side to everyone, or get stories straight.
  • You do not need to reset devices, change accounts, hand your phone to someone else, or move files around.
  • You can wait to decide whether to complain, request records, or challenge anything until after legal advice.

Important reassurance

This kind of warning can make you feel watched and rushed. A quiet pause, fewer messages, no indirect contact, and early legal advice can reduce the chance of making things harder to fix.

Scope note

These are first steps only. The right next move may depend on whether this is about a police interview, bail or court conditions, prison communications, workplace action, or a misunderstanding, so later decisions may need a solicitor or another specialist adviser.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice or professional advice. If you believe you may be arrested, interviewed, accused of breaching conditions, or placed at risk, get advice from a qualified solicitor promptly. If there is immediate danger or risk of harm, contact emergency services.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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