New national guidance for disclosing suspects’ ethnicity and nationality issued

The move aims to ensure policing is more consistent, fair and transparent with this information, as well as addressing potential mis and disinformation.

The changes also recognise public concerns and ensure police processes are fit for purpose in an age of rapid information spread across social media.

The interim guidance has been developed by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the College of Policing and encourages forces to disclose a suspect’s ethnicity and nationality when there is a policing purpose to do so.

This could include to reduce the risk to public safety, where there are high levels of mis or disinformation about a particular incident, or in cases of significant public interest.

Decisions on whether to release this information will remain with forces, with wider legal and ethical considerations being considered also.

The guidance expands on existing practice already in place for policing, where forces are encouraged to publicise charging decisions in serious cases, and has been developed following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service and Home Office.

Policing and its criminal justice partners have well-defined communication roles at different stages of the criminal justice process, including when to communicate about suspects and defendants publicly.

The guidance, which comes into immediate effect, reaffirms that it is not the role or responsibility of the police to verify a suspect’s immigration status.

It is for the Home Office to decide if it is appropriate in all the circumstances to confirm immigration status.

Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya, the NPCC lead for communications and media, said: “We saw during last summer’s disorder, as well as in several recent high-profile cases, what the major, real-world consequences can be from what information police release into the public domain.

“We have to make sure our processes are fit for purpose in an age of social media speculation and where information can travel incredibly quickly across a wide range of channels.

“Disinformation and incorrect narratives can take hold in a vacuum. It is good police work for us to fill this vacuum with the facts about issues of wider public interest.

“Our aim with this guidance is to provide greater consistency with how we report this information.

“Being as fair, consistent and transparent as we can will improve confidence in policing as the definitive source of this information – making all our communities safer in the process.”

The interim guidance will be considered as part of a wider review of the College of Policing’s authorised professional practice for media relations, which will be subject to public consultation later this year.

Chief Constable Sir Andy Marsh, CEO at the College of Policing, said: “The public remains concerned about mis and disinformation so this interim guidance provides clarity that police can disclose the ethnicity and nationality of suspects when they are charged in high profile and sensitive investigations.

“I want to reassure the public that officers will continue to police without fear or favour. The interim guidance will bring consistency so information can be released for all ethnicities and nationalities when it meets the right criteria.

“Later this year the College of Policing will update its current authorised professional practice for media relations so that the public, journalists and police forces are clearer on how we all navigate today’s challenging information landscape.”

Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), Emily Spurrell, said: “I am pleased the NPCC and College of Policing have recognised the need to update guidance for forces in the light of recent high profile cases. Police and crime commissioners (PCCs) and Deputy Mayors act on behalf of the public and it is clear there was a need to review the guidance to address growing public concern.

“We have seen the speed with which mis- or disinformation can spread online and the danger to public safety that can cause, so it is right police keep the public informed as far as is possible whilst preserving a suspect’s right to a fair trial.”

The APCC’s joint leads on Race Disparity, Equality and Human Rights, Alison Lowe OBE and John Campion, said: “PCCs and Deputy Mayors agree there is a need for greater consistency on the information police release about those suspected of a crime.

“Building public trust in policing is essential so forces should be as transparent as possible when someone has been charged as long as the criminal justice process is protected and a suspect’s right to a fair trial is not jeopardised. It is for chief officers to decide, but PCCs are clear that decisions on what information to put into the public domain and when must be made with care and consideration of all relevant factors, including any risks in doing so to the legal process and public safety.”