New national guidance for disclosing suspects’ details

• Forces encouraged to disclose ethnicity and nationality when suspects are charged in certain cases 
• Move aims to ensure policing is more consistent, fair and transparent with this information, as well as addressing potential mis and disinformation
• Change recognises public concerns and ensures police processes are fit for purpose in an age of rapid information spread

Police forces should consider disclosing the ethnicity and nationality of suspects when they are charged in high profile and sensitive investigations and operations, new national guidance says. 

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."