Category: United Kingdom National Police Chiefs Council

Police chiefs have been reviewing the implications of last month’s UK Supreme Court judgment in relation to the scope of the Equality Act on sex and gender.

Police chiefs have been reviewing the implications of last month’s UK Supreme Court judgment in relation to the scope of the Equality Act on sex and gender.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has today (Thursday) published draft interim guidance on searches of members of the transgender community, as well as searches carried out by transgender police officers and staff.

It makes clear that thorough police searches, such as those which expose intimate body parts, should be carried out by police officers and staff of the same biological sex as the detained person.

There may be very limited exceptions considered where someone requests to be searched by an officer of their gender.

The guidance is explicit that any search not conducted in line with biological sex must have the written consent of the detainee, the officer carrying out the search as well as the authorising officer.

The guidance has been circulated to every police force in the country.

The interim guidance is based on legal advice and has been developed after seeking views across policing as well as those of other agencies.

It reflects working practice which already happens every day across policing, where officers and detainees make requests about searches for a multitude of reasons.

Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chair of the NPCC, said: “Our aim has been to implement the Supreme Court judgment in a pragmatic and consistent way across policing.

“We have moved at pace to develop this interim guidance, as it is important that officers and staff have guidance on how searches should be conducted in light of the Supreme Court ruling.

“We are keen to work with the Home Office to consider the impact of the Supreme Court decision on legislation and help ensure there is consistency and clarity for policing and our partners.

“We understand the depth of feeling there is on these issues, both among transgender communities as well as those who hold gender critical views. Policing remains committed to treating everyone with fairness, dignity and respect.”

NPCC, in partnership with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), have funded £4.5 million to launch nine Policing Academic Centres of Excellence (P-ACEs) in October 2025.

Working closely with Forces, the P-ACEs will drive collaboration among academia and policing. They will ensure that policing is shaped by the latest and best scientific expertise, and that the UK’s leading researchers are able to challenge and innovate in partnership with policing as together we strive to improve public safety.

Each Policing Academic Centre of Excellence will be promoted across the policing sector as an accessible source of leading academic experts aligned with Policing’s Areas of Research Interest (ARIs) and evidence needs. The P-ACEs will support policing with adopting new technologies, developing new tools and techniques, improving training and skills, and increasing public safety.

Professor Paul Taylor, Police Chief Scientific Adviser, said:

 “Academia and policing have a long history of collaborative working on issues as diverse as forensic science, crime prevention, and analytical technologies. The P-ACEs will fortify this connection, providing a focal point for research and knowledge exchange.

I’m particularly excited about what the P-ACEs can bring to early career scientists who are interested in tackling the complex challenge of keeping the UK public safe. The P-ACE community will, I hope, provide them more opportunities and greater support as we look to forge deep and lasting partnerships over the next decade.”

Stian Westlake, Executive Chair of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), said:

“The Policing Academic Centres of Excellence will forge closer relationships between police forces and researchers, providing the police with data and evidence to make the justice system work better. By bringing experts in policing practice together with social scientists and data scientists across the country, the centres will provide knowledge and insights to drive service improvement. These centres of excellence demonstrate our commitment to reducing crime and making Britain a safer place.”

The two key functions of the P-ACEs are to:

• mobilise, showcase and make accessible to policing key insights, findings and outputs from their work
• respond to the evidence needs, questions and problems raised by policing and work with policing to co-develop new research and knowledge exchange activities

The following universities have been selected to be P-ACEs:

• Edinburgh Napier University, with Glasgow Caledonian University, University of St Andrews and University of Edinburgh
• Lancaster University
• Manchester Metropolitan University, with University of Manchester
• Nottingham Trent University
• University College London
• University of Bath
• University of Birmingham, with Aston University and University of Leicester
• University of Leeds, with University of York
• University of Portsmouth

For updates about the P-ACEs visit: Policing Academic Centres of Excellence

We welcome today’s His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services’ (HMICFRS) final report on last summer’s disorder, which rightly recognises the bravery and professionalism of officers who acted decisively to protect communities and restore order. This was a successful operation, despite the complexity of events.

Since the summer, 1,840 arrests have been made, with 1,103 individuals charged, reinforcing policing’s commitment to justice.

The report fails to accurately assess policing’s role in countering harmful online content. It overlooks the reality that law enforcement cannot and should not regulate social media, placing unrealistic expectations on policing while ignoring the critical responsibility of platform providers and regulators. Without robust detection, moderation, and removal of false narratives, misinformation will continue to fuel unrest unchecked.

Policing cannot function effectively when digital platforms allow harmful content to spread without consequence. The lack of accountability in the report undermines the broader need for a multi-agency response to misinformation and disorder.

Public education also has a critical role to play. Equipping communities with the tools to assess online content critically must be a shared effort across government, tech companies, and civil society. Tackling misinformation requires a coordinated, multi-sector approach.

We note the Inspectorate’s concerns about national debriefing. However, policing has already conducted multiple operational debriefs, covering both intelligence and crime, with extensive feedback gathered across forces. These insights, alongside HMICFRS recommendations, are being taken forward under NPCC leadership.

Policing is advancing innovative technology solutions to enhance monitoring of misinformation and disinformation, building on social listening platforms used during the disorder. Strengthening collaboration with the Cabinet Office, we are now more closely integrated across government and policing to improve coordination.

The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee has expanded the capacity for force neighbourhood teams to engage more effectively with their communities. Additionally, we have been developing advanced technology to better assess real-time public sentiment through enhanced community tensions monitoring.

Policing will continue working with partners to implement these recommendations decisively, ensuring a proactive and resilient approach to disorder prevention while maintaining our commitment to public safety.

Chief Constable BJ Harrington is the NPCC Lead for Operations and the former Gold Commander of Operation Navette. He said:

“We appreciate the Inspectorate’s dedication in engaging with representatives from across policing and for recognising the professionalism and bravery demonstrated by our officers and staff during an extremely challenging period. The commitment of frontline officers to maintaining public safety, often in the face of significant personal risk, deserves acknowledgment, and we are pleased to see this reflected in the report.

“The assertion that no debrief took place does not reflect the extensive review work that has been undertaken since the events last summer. In response to the disorder, policing conducted national debriefs covering both intelligence and crime, ensuring key insights were gathered and shared across forces. These debriefs, convened by the College of Policing and individual forces, allowed policing to review its approach, strengthen intelligence-sharing, and refine operational strategies.

“We welcome the Inspectorate’s recommendations and we’ll continue working with partners to refine and improve our response to fast-moving and unpredictable disorder. However, it is important to recognise the broader role of communications in operational success and ensure a more comprehensive approach to tackling misinformation.”

Chief Constable Gavin Stephens is Chair of the NPCC. He added:

“Following the events of last summer, it was right that policing was questioned and scrutinised, and we recognise the Inspectorate’s role in that process.

“However, a more balanced assessment is needed, particularly regarding policing’s role in tackling misinformation and disinformation. While there are lessons to learn, it is crucial to acknowledge that law enforcement does not – and should not – regulate online content. Responsibility for ensuring information is accurate and does not fuel harm lies with those posting it, platform providers and regulatory bodies.

“The report states that policing has “no proper answer” for tackling misinformation and disinformation, but the issue extends far beyond law enforcement. No public sector organisation or body responsible for public safety is fully equipped to address the scale and complexity of the problem. Policing alone cannot be expected to lead or resolve this volatile challenge; it requires a coordinated, cross government approach. This reality must be acknowledged.

“The report did not fully recognise the successes of the media strategy, particularly in delivering behaviour change and deterrence messaging, which are essential in countering rapidly spreading false narratives that can incite disorder.  I pay tribute to colleagues in local policing and communications, who worked tirelessly with media colleagues to ensure accurate information, and the consequences of involvement in violent disorder, were widely known and understood.

“A proactive communication model is needed, one that enables policing to engage directly with communities, providing accurate and timely information without overreliance on traditional media. However, achieving this requires resources that policing simply does not currently have, as financial pressures continue to mount.

“Strengthening intelligence alone is not enough to mitigate the risks posed by misinformation. A comprehensive approach is required – one that incorporates education during peacetime, stronger regulatory oversight, and independent messaging strategies extending beyond policing.

“We remain committed to learning from these events, refining our approach, and ensuring policing is prepared, resilient, and proactive in facing future challenges.”

Notes to editors

The national policing response launched by NPCC – Operation Navette – was created to provide effective national coordination for the planning and response to demonstrations and disorder, as well as engagement and communication with forces, government and key national stakeholders. This included:

• A national Gold group established and led by the NPCC Public Order and Public Safety Lead.
• An intelligence coordination group led by the NPCC Intelligence Lead.
• The activation of the national mobilisation plan and the development of national strategic public order research, with NPoCC assuming a central coordination function for all public order assets across the country.

Offenders brought to justice responsible for £8m of thefts

• National intelligence unit sees 148 arrests in first year of operation 

• 50% reduction in offending from organised crime groups identified 
• Retailers praise dedication of team in affecting criminal justice outcomes  

A national policing intelligence unit set up in partnership with retailers to tackle organised retail crime has been operational one year (1 May) and continues to reap results, identifying and bringing to justice crime groups responsible for £8m financial impact of offending.  

Funded by the Home Office and the Pegasus Partnership (a collaboration between retailers and policing coordinated by CC Amanda Blakeman and PCC Katy Bourne), the team within Opal (policing’s national intelligence unit for serious organised acquisitive crime) collects and develops intelligence around organised retail crime from retailers and police forces.  

Since 1 May 2024, the team has received 153 referrals from retailers and police forces across England and Wales with 313 offenders and 105 linked vehicles identified as a result. Action taken following a referral can range from simply identifying an individual or vehicle right through to a complex investigation of an organised criminal network. 37 operations have been adopted from referrals totalling nearly 5,000 offences nationwide (4,710) with 148 arrests to date and 33 court outcomes resulting in custodial sentences and deportations where the offenders are foreign nationals.  

Of the organised crime groups identified and monitored through Opal’s work, there has been a 50 per cent reduction in offending since 1 May 2024, demonstrating a clear impact in disrupting these high harm offenders and networks.1  

The Pegasus Partnership was set up in October 2023 to bring policing and retailers together in tackling shop theft through improved information sharing, best practice and upskilling. A number of high profile convictions include; three offenders responsible for over 100 crimes nationwide brought to justice by Surrey Police and Opal, an individual who stole more than £50,000 worth of goods from Boots stores across the country investigated by South Wales Police and an offender who worked across 16 police force areas to steal high value electricals and perfumes who was convicted by Devon and Cornwall Police.  

Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman is National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for volume crime. She said: 

“Partnership and collaboration is vital in our fight against retail crime, policing cannot do this alone and through Pegasus we have built strong relationships and information sharing which enables us to target resources where they are most needed.  

“Without the national intelligence coordination from Opal’s highly skilled team, many of these offenders brought to justice over the last year may never have been identified or at the very least, the huge scale of their offending may not have been identified. And in a lot of cases, the scale and level of offending is what has led to the most significant court outcomes.  

“I’d like to thank the retailers and Government for their commitment to making the partnership the success it so clearly is and we look forward to seeing our collective impact continue.”  

Jason Towse, Managing Director, Business Services at Mitie said:  

“We’re proud to have supported the formation of Pegasus and despite only being a year the results are overwhelming. Through technology and collaboration, Pegasus is joining the dots between retailers and the police to secure appropriate outcomes for offenders and in turn drive safer communities across the UK.  

“The financial impact of retail crime is only one piece of the puzzle and what the figures don’t show is the psychological impact of the current situation on shopworkers, many of whom feel unsafe in their workplace due to threat of attacks. The tide must turn, and this can only happen through effective data sharing agreements between retailers, security and police that leave violent criminals with no place to hide.” 

Katy Bourne is Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner and APCC joint lead for Business and Retail Crime. She said: 

“It was very clear that retailers were suffering from shop theft on an industrial scale and needed results, including a better method to share information and intelligence with police forces nationally.  This is why, one year ago, I convened our Pegasus Partnership – a unique collaboration of the country’s top retailers joining together to fund a specialist policing team and analysts. The results published today, on our first anniversary of operation, speak for themselves and show the power of collaboration, trust and hard work, leading to nearly 150 criminals arrested and put before the courts.  

“I want to acknowledge the support of Chief Constable Blakeman and the OPAL team in galvanising a national police response to shop theft. The Opal team have exceeded the expectations of our Pegasus Partnership and the retailers have seen their investment return valuable results against organised retail crime groups and persistent offenders. 

“As we look ahead, it is evident we have built a well-positioned and strong foundation for tackling organised retail crime gangs and I look forward to seeing these results increase. I am delighted that the Government can see the value too with an additional £5million given to extend OPAL’s capacity. This really is a huge step forwards in the fightback against shop theft that will benefit all retailers up and down our country.” 

Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said: 

“Through concerted police, retailer and government action, we can fight back against the currently unacceptable levels of shop theft blighting our communities.  

“This is why we are providing £5 million pounds over the next three years to continue to support this work, significantly increasing funding and making government the largest financial backer of this initiative.  

“But we can and must go further, which is why I will be discussing with police and retailers at our forthcoming Retail Crime Forum what more we can do to tackle this issue as a whole, targeting not just organised crime gangs and prolific offenders but all perpetrators of shop theft who bring misery to our high streets.  

“And it is why through our Plan for Change we are putting 13,000 neighbourhood officers and PCSOs on the beat in every corner of the country – soon to be equipped with new powers to tackle assaults on shop workers and thefts under £200.” 

Kari Rodgers is UK Retail Director at Primark. She said:  

“Pegasus has been a significant step forward in fostering change and improving safety on our high streets and we welcome the collaboration and intelligence sharing it has facilitated. Our collective job in tackling retail crime is far from over and we remain fully committed to standing shoulder to shoulder with fellow retailers, local police forces and the government to continue driving forward the progress made so far.” 

Ben McDonald is Senior Senior Corporate Protection Manager at Morrisons. He said:  

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Pegasus to keep our communities safe. The partnership provides Morrisons with the opportunity to work closely with the police in order to prioritise organised retail offenders and bring them to justice. We hope this sends out the necessary deterrent to prevent further crime groups from offending.” 

The organised retail crime team within Opal take referrals from retailers of any size, whether or not they are part of the Pegasus Partnership, and will work in a number of different ways to develop intelligence. This could be as simple as identifying an offender, linked offenders and/or vehicles through the Police National Database, looking at patterns of offending and MO’s which are repeated and working with retailers to share information packs about prolific offenders. The team will then support local police forces through an investigation, sharing intelligence, but also working with the Crown Prosecution Service and additional agencies as required.  

Results from the Opal Organised Retail Crime team since 1 May 2024 include: 

• 153 referrals impacting retail businesses, a third of which came from supermarkets.  

• 313 offenders identified 

• Offenders identified responsible for £8m loss to retailers 

• 105 vehicles identified 

• 37 operations (criminal investigations) adopted 

• 1,407 positive outcomes 

• 33 sentences handed out 

• Total custodial sentences for all offenders of over 39 years  

• 128 upskilling sessions run with retailers and retail organisations 

The Home Affairs Committee has published its report into the police response to the 2024 summer disorder.

The report commends police officers and staff for their efforts during last summer’s unrest, despite significant risks and injuries, calling the violence faced unacceptable. It acknowledges systemic challenges stemming from outdated structures and highlights the need for reform, echoing commitments recently made by NPCC Chair Chief Constable Gavin Stephens who has outlined his own vision for a new era of policing.

The Committee’s recommendations, including around national mobilisation and addressing dis and misinformation on social media, are deemed timely and vital for improving policing effectiveness. The report rejects claims of ‘two-tier policing’ and appreciates the complexity of the response to such unprecedented events. The findings will inform ongoing discussions, with further insights expected following the next HMICFRS report.

Chief Constable BJ Harrington is the NPCC Lead for Operations and the former Gold Commander of Operation Navette. He said:

“The report rightly praises the efforts of police officers and staff in responding to the events of last summer, often in the face of very real risk and injury. Nobody should go to work and be physically assaulted, have bricks and petrol bombs thrown at them, and end up in hospital with potentially life-changing injuries. Unfortunately, that is what happened last year, and it was utterly unacceptable.

“Policing leaders are proud of the work our officers, staff and volunteers do and the sacrifice they make to keep people safe. However, the fact that we are working in a system that was designed more than 60 years ago is far from ideal, and this report highlights the need for reform in specific areas, which aligns with the work of the newly founded Police Reform Programme.

“We know that there are number of obstacles, from a policing perspective, that limit effectiveness in policing across the UK, so these recommendations are extremely timely and will inform conversations that we are having with partners.

“The Committee cite previous findings from the Inspectorate that the national mobilisation plan could have been made earlier, and this is a helpful recommendation. Hindsight can be useful, and these learnings are important, but we are pleased that the Committee also recognise how complex of a situation this was for policing to respond to, and that on the whole, the service did so well.

“We are pleased that the report robustly disagrees with the notion of ‘two tier policing’, and that the policing response was entirely appropriate given the levels of violence and criminality that were on display. We are also appreciative of the consideration given to the dangerous of mis and disinformation on social media, which remain substantial areas of risk for policing and something that the Inspectorate have been evaluating as part of their own review into the disorder.

“We will carefully consider all of the Committee’s recommendations, noting that the Government will also be waiting for the publication of the second HMICFRS report later this year in order to ascertain how they can support policing in implementing these collective findings.”

NPCC response following announcement on neighbourhood policing.

Chief Constable Rachel Bacon, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for the Local Policing Coordination Committee said: “We welcome the government’s investment into neighbourhood policing. Neighbourhood policing and officers on the street are crucial so that we can connect with the communities we serve. It is a vital part of how we prevent crime and has suffered during prolonged periods of austerity.

“Visibility and engagement with local communities has always been central to the British policing model and police leaders are in agreement that it must always remain at the heart of what we do.

“Forces continue to develop plans to tackle crime in their local neighbourhoods, which will vary depending on various factors such as population, urban or rural and the needs of the local community. Chiefs across England and Wales will take these factors into account, work with partner agencies to ensure communities receive the level of service they expect from policing.

“In every town, village and city across the UK, people want to feel safe where they live, work and raise their families. Safe from anti-social behaviour, safe from shoplifting, and safe from personal robbery. Neighbourhood policing is at the heart of that helping tackle that.

“We welcome the continued investment in hotspot policing and visible targeted patrols, which are the bedrock of community policing, and effective deterrents in detecting and preventing anti-social behaviour and serious violent crime, as well as improving feelings of safety.

“People have a right to live their lives free from intimidation and harassment in their own communities. We know anti-social behaviour has the power to wreck people’s lives and therefore it is important to have a multi-agency approach to tackling anti-social behaviour.

“Effective investment in neighbourhood policing and the whole system means investment in stronger communities and safer streets.”

National gun amnesty took place in February across England and Wales.

Police forces across England and Wales have seen 2,962 Turkish manufactured guns handed in as part of a national amnesty which took place in February.

The top-venting blank firing (TVBF) guns have become popular with organised criminals in recent years due to the ease at which they are readily convertible into lethal firearms. Tests by the National Crime Agency and policing, funded by the Home Office, show models produced by four Turkish manufacturers are readily convertible and therefore illegal. TVBFs are legal to buy in the UK without a licence by over 18s unless they are readily convertible.

Police forces across England and Wales held a four-week Firearms Amnesty for Turkish manufactured TVBFs namely models with the brand names ‘Retay’, ‘Ekol’, ‘Ceonic’ and ‘Blow’, in February.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Metcalfe, National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for the Criminal Use of Firearms, said: “This is a considerable step in making our streets safer and stopping these weapons from being used by criminals.

“I would like to thank the public for their support during the amnesty and handing in these weapons which are now illegal to possess.

“If you have any information about illegal firearms, such as the Turkish manufactured TVBF, I would ask you contact the police or Crimestoppers so that they can be taken off the streets.”

The amnesty which took place between 3 February and 28 February 2025 saw 2,962 Turkish manufactured top-venting firers and was aimed at anyone in possession of a TVBF to hand their weapon in to avoid prosecution and up to 10 years imprisonment.

In their original state TVBFs have a fully blocked barrel and are designed to discharge only blank cartridges. When discharged, combustion gases vent from the top of the weapon. TVBFs are sold with at least 50 per cent of their visible surface painted a bright colour however, criminals may paint them black so they look like an original lethal purpose (OLP) weapon as well as convert them to a lethal purpose firearm.

Since 2021, UK law enforcement has recovered more than 1,000 converted TVBFs in criminal circumstances. Firearms legislation has not changed; the weapons are illegal to own under the Firearms Act 1968 as they can be readily converted using common household tools and without specialist skill on the part of the person carrying out the conversion. Testing completed by the NCA has demonstrated this.

Charles Yates, National Crime Agency deputy director, said: “The amnesty results are excellent with very large numbers of surrenders of these easily converted firearms.

“This work is a superb example of the public and the firearms trade coming together to help reduce the risk of the criminal use of these weapons.

“Though firearms crime in the UK is relatively low compared with elsewhere in Europe and is among the lowest in the world, the NCA, policing and Border Force will continue to do everything possible to suppress the firearms threat and to protect the UK public.”

Other unwanted, unlicensed firearms and ammunition may be surrendered to police at any time which will avoid the risk of them becoming involved in criminality and means that members of the community can dispose of firearms in a safe place.

Anyone now found in possession of a Turkish manufactured TVBF will face prosecution for the illegal possession and face up to 10 years imprisonment.

If you know of people involved in illegal firearms activity should call the Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Every call to Crimestoppers is anonymous and potentially vital to preventing or solving serious crimes; removing an illegally held firearm may just save someone’s life.

Double number of drivers arrested than previous years

• 8,648 arrests made for drink and drug driving offences 

• Positive results for drink driving remain below 10% 

• Breath tests following a collision show nearly 15% motorists testing positive for alcohol, at its highest since 2019 
• Drug wipes result in positive test results of over 42% 

Police officers proactively undertook 58,675 roadside tests for drink and/or drugs on drivers across the UK over the festive period in 2024 (1 Dec 2024 – 1 Jan 2025) as part of the nationally coordinated Operation Limit crackdown which sees 45 police forces across England, Wales and Northern Ireland working together.  

Intelligence and hotspot-led, roadside breath tests for alcohol saw nearly 10% of drivers testing positive (9.7%) with drug wipes resulting in 42.2% positive tests.  

Shockingly, 2,782 drivers were arrested for both drink and drug driving offences, almost double the number from previous years’ national operations. While many tests during Op Limit are proactive stops, tests following a collision showed 14.5% motorists testing positive for alcohol, the highest in these circumstances since 2019. Unfortunately this trend aligns with data from the Department for Transport (DfT) which also shows a rise in alcohol-related collisions.  

The figures prompt warnings from senior officers about the risks of driving under the influence, a ‘selfish and reckless’ decision that costs too many lives each year.  

Men continue to be disproportionately represented, making up 85% of the offences for driving under the influence of drink or drugs and 79% of offenders were 25 years of age or older.  

Chief Superintendent Marc Clothier is National Police Chiefs’ Council Operational Lead for Operation Limit. He said: 

“In 2023, 19.6% of fatal collisions were assigned at least one drink or drugs related factor. That’s pretty much 20% of road deaths caused by drink or drugs, with a significant number occurring in December – two facts which are completely unacceptable and which make Op Limit so important.  

“Now in its third year of running as a national operation, the Christmas drink and drug driving crackdown brings together all police forces in a positive coordinated effort to tackle this driving behaviour. 

“The statistics of positive results and the demographics of offenders remain consistent and what is encouraging is to see the dedication and innovation which policing puts into this operation across the country. Many forces collaborate on a regional level, working cross border and strengthening their resources as a result.  

“In addition, we are seeing the numbers of collisions in December specifically as a result of drink or drug driving reduce each year, remaining consistently at the levels experienced during Covid when far less drivers were on the roads. While there will be many factors impacting this fall, we can certainly draw a link between policing’s increased focus and enforcement activity to tackle drink and drug driving over this time of year.   

“The decision to get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol or drugs is reckless and selfish and it will not be tolerated. Not only do you risk your own life but you seriously endanger everyone else on the road and the tragic impact of your decision will be felt by individuals, families, friends and whole communities.” 

Collisions in December where drink and drug driving is a factor 

Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) lead for drink and drug driving, Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham, Joy Allen said:   

“With responsibility for supporting victims, PCCs see and deal with the devastating impact of drink and drug driving. 

“The Operation Limit results show that more intensive enforcement works. We want to see more resource invested in roads policing and the appropriate use of tougher penalties for drink and drug driving, including immediate bans and full cost recovery of the costs from offenders, to act as a greater deterrent and protect the public.” 

Key statistics not included in report 

• A total of 8,203 drivers were caught drink or drug driving during the period of enforcement activity, with 60% (4,940) drink drive offences detected and 40% (3,263) drug drive offences detected. A total of 74,456 vehicles were stopped during this campaign with 50,948 breath tests administered, resulting in 4,940 drivers testing positive, failed or refused to provide. 

• A total of 7,112 breath tests were administered following a collision, with 1,030 drivers committing a drink drive offence following a collision. 14.5% motorists tested positive for alcohol following a collision. This percentage is the highest it has been since 2019. 

Contextual data  

Drug driving: 

• In 2022, most drivers with detected drugs had illegal substances in their system (127), followed by query drugs (61) and prescribed drugs (27). Query drugs refer to substances that may have been administered medically after a collision but also have potential for abuse.  

• Illegal drugs were primarily found in deceased drivers aged 20 to 39, while medicinal drugs were more common in those aged 30 and older.  

• Among drivers aged 70 and above, medicinal drugs were detected more often than illegal drugs, though the overall numbers in this group were small.  

• The five most frequently detected substances were cocaine, benzoylecgonine (a cocaine metabolite), cannabis, morphine, and ketamine, highlighting cocaine and cannabis as the most common illegal drugs in road fatalities.  

• From 2014 to 2022, approximately two-thirds of casualties in drug-impaired collisions were fatalities. Of these, 91% were drivers with drugs detected in their system, indicating that most fatalities were drug-impaired drivers themselves. The majority of other casualties were passengers of the impaired driver. 

Drink driving 

• The central estimate of fatalities for 2022 is the highest level since 2009, and an increase compared to the previous year.  

• The central estimate of the number of deaths in collisions with at least one driver over the alcohol limit for 2022 is 300. This represents about 18% of all deaths in reported road collisions in 2022.  
• Overall, an estimated 6,800 people were killed or injured when at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit. This represents an increase of 1% from 6,740 in 2021. 
• DfT collisions data where drink/drugs were reported as a key factor:  

A new anti-racism commitment for policing has been published in a major update from the Police Race Action Plan.

Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson is among several senior leaders to renew their commitment to tackling racial disparities in policing and the wider criminal justice system in a plan update report published today (Wednesday).

At the heart of the update is a new anti-racism commitment for policing.

The commitment aims to set out the goals of an anti-racist police service, describes anti-racism in a policing context, and the action required to achieve it.

Views from policing, partners in the criminal justice system, civil society groups and communities have shaped the commitment, as well as other published statements of anti-racism.

The update also outlines proposals for a new maturity matrix being developed by the plan, a set of performance standards to help assess delivery of the plan and efforts to address racial disparities.

The maturity matrix is a cornerstone of the vision for long term scrutiny and accountability for the plan’s delivery, further details of which are included in the update.

The document contains contributions from 12 different organisations outlining their views on the Police Race Action Plan (PRAP) and its progress, as well as wider efforts to tackle discrimination and address racial disparities.

This includes contributions from the policing minister, senior police officers, agencies such as the Crown Prosecution Service as well as representatives from civil society groups and the National Black Police Association.

The PRAP has also published an update on its progress in delivering actions in the original plan, as well as bringing together examples of work being delivered in local forces in support of the PRAP’s objectives.

T/Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dr Alison Heydari, programme director for the plan, said: “This update marks another milestone in our efforts to embed our ambition of delivering an anti-racist police service into the DNA of policing.

“The reason I joined the plan was to shape its future and lead the changes we need to deliver. It remains the case that people from Black communities have the lowest levels of confidence in the police, are underrepresented in our workforce and are more likely to experience police powers such as stop and search or use of force.

“Black communities need to see and, crucially, feel change in policing. While we have a long way to go, this update outlines the work that is happening to deliver significant cultural change and improvements for the longer term.

“Explaining or reforming race disparities and addressing mistrust with Black communities will mean we are more effective at fighting crime and protecting all communities.”

The update is the second major report published by the plan in nine months, following publication of its first ever progress report in August.

Chief Constable Sir Andy Marsh, CEO of the College of Policing, said: “This is an important benchmark for police forces to show they are serious about becoming fairer, stronger, and, crucially, better equipped to tackle crime and keep their communities safe.

“We are committed to supporting police forces to stamp out racism wherever they see it so that the public are served by a modern and effective service.

“Cutting crime is a priority and one of the ways policing does this is by increasing trust with all communities which can lead to better cooperation with police appeals, more effective crime reporting, and a greater sense of safety among the public.”

For more information about the plan visit the plan’s webpages.