The psychoactive substances act, implemented today,  will provide a blanket ban on the production, supply and importation of new psychoactive substances. This legislation will fundamentally change the way forces tackle psychoactive substances and will make new drugs that appear on the market illegal quicker than ever before.

So called “legal-highs” might have been sold in shops but that doesn’t mean they’re safe. Often they contain one or more substance that is illegal to possess and users really have no idea what they are taking or what effect it will have.  The future health risks associated with psychoactive substances are unknown and in some cases people have died from taking these drugs.

The NPCC has responded to today's report by The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Missing Children and Adults, highlighting the importance of assessing the initial level of risk to a young person correctly. Police forces must also work with partners to gather and share better information - as well as intervening early to prevent harm before it happens.

NPCC lead for modern slavery agrees with the Anti-Slavery Commissioner Kevin Hyland that we need to keep improving our response to modern slavery but says progress is being made

The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) has responded to today's comments by the Home Secretary on domestic abuse and protecting vulnerable people.

Stalking and harassment can have a devastating effect on victims' lives and we remain focused and committed to improving training, guidance and our overall response.

We will work closely with chief constables, the Home Office and the College of Policing to build a consistent, multi-agency response to missing and vulnerable people.

We are supporting the National Working Group’s Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Awareness Day today, March 18. This day highlights the threat from child sexual abuse, encouraging everyone to spot the signs of abuse, speak out against it and adopt a zero tolerance to adults or children developing inappropriate relationships with children.

Police forces up and down the country will be taking part in operational activity to deal with the threats of CSE and encouraging victims to come forward and report crimes. 

NPCC lead for child protection explains the police approach to sexting - we don't want children and young people to be criminalised but it's important to understand the dangers of sexting 

Changes in police recording and victims’ improved confidence in how the police will deal with abuse have played a significant part in the increase in reports to us but we are now starting work with academics to consider whether more children are actually being abused

The new national gun crime investigation manual for police forces was officially launched on 26 February.

National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) Lead for Child Protection and Child Abuse Investigations, Chief Constable Simon Bailey, has emphasised the importance of maintaining trust and confidence in the police service - so that victims of sexual abuse feel able to come forward and reports are investigated.