Spectrum support

Following the launch of new guidance on dealing with members of the public with autism, Police Professional discusses the training and support to all officers and those who suffer the condition themselves. Around one per cent of the UK’s population fall somewhere on the autistic spectrum. While this might seem a relatively small number, it equates to more than 700,000 people, who should be able to expect the same quality of service from policing as anybody else. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Research published by City University London and the University of Bath last year found seven in ten autistic adults were not satisfied with their encounters with the police, often reporting discrimination, a lack of clarity and the feeling that their needs were not being met. This problem stems largely from a poor understanding of the condition. Just 37 per cent of police officers polled in the study had received training on autism, and only 42 per cent were satisfied with their interactions with autistic people. Researchers Dr Laura Crane and Dr Katie Maras claimed that if officers were better equipped to deal with the condition, and supported to adapt any procedures if necessary, they would be able to offer a better service to some of the most vulnerable members of the public. Improving understanding General criminal justice guidance on dealing with people with autism has been in place for several years now. However, it was not specific to policing and has been criticised for being overly long and complex. It was also out of date; the guidance was last updated in 2011, and still bore the logo of the now-defunct Association of Chief Police Officers. The National Autistic Society (NAS) decided this needed to change. After consulting with academics, the police service and people living with autism, the NAS began working on simpler, updated guidance. The end result – a short manual designed for officers to read ‘on the go’ – was published in April, and has been met with an overwhelmingly positive response. “This is quite a change from what came before,” said Clare Hughes, criminal justice coordinator at the NAS. “The guidance we had previously was a general criminal justice guide, and feedback on that showed that although people thought it was useful and interesting, it was too long and officers wanted an easier way of dipping in and out of it. “The one we have now is based on real-life examples, it’s based on difficulties that current serving officers have, and it’s based on current research as well. Since 2001, knowledge in the criminal justice system has grown massively and we have tried to take all of that into account into the guide.” Some of the most common symptoms of autism are difficulties with communication and social interaction. Autistic people can also experience problems with understanding facial expressions, tones of voice and figures of speech, and can go into ‘meltdowns’ (ie, shouting, screaming, crying or lashing out) when overloaded with sensory information. However, according to the guidance, the condition can sometimes be hard to identify. Autistic people often do not ‘look’ disabled, meaning that unless officers are aware of the condition, behaviours associated with it may be misinterpreted as suspicious or disrespectful. For example, autistic people may be unwilling to make eye contact when questioned or repeat questions back, but the guidance warns that officers who encounter these traits should not assume that person is being wilfully obstructive or has something to hide. Instead, it suggests, they should take steps to keep the person calm, use clear, concise language, and avoid touching the person or raising their voice. The guide also makes recommendations for how to treat autistic people if they need to be taken into custody. It suggests explaining to them simply and calmly where they are being taken, before calling ahead to warn custody staff if the person appears distressed and asking if arrangements can be made to avoid making them wait