Category: United Kingdom National Police Chiefs Council

“I contacted the panel and got a response really quickly. It was such a relief to feel that someone was listening and taking my enquiry seriously.”

Victims and survivors of child sexual abuse are being urged to contact a scheme which helps to achieve the justice they deserve during a month-long campaign which launches today, Monday 18 September and concludes on Friday 13 October.

The Child Sexual Abuse Review Panel (CSARP), which is a joint enterprise between the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), looks again at cases where a victim or survivor feel the decision to take no further action (NFA) in an investigation was unjust and would like the result to be reconsidered.

The panel consider reported allegations of child sexual offences before 5 June 2013 and look at whether the approach taken by the police or CPS was wrong. They then advise whether the allegations should be reinvestigated and/ or reviewed.

To do this, they look at information requested of and provided by the relevant police force or CPS area, to decide whether to advise that the original decision was correct or if further action should be taken.

If the decision is made to reinvestigate or review the case, it will be referred back to the police force or CPS area from where the case originated for them to decide on the action to be taken.

If the panel agrees with the original decision to take no further action, the victim or survivor is informed by letter with specialist help and support provided or signposted. There is no appeal point beyond the panel.

Ian Critchley, National Police Chiefs’ Council – Lead for Child Protection and Abuse Investigation said:

“If you are a victim of non-recent child sexual abuse who is unhappy with the decision made previously made by police or the Crown Prosecution Service, I urge you to contact the Child Sexual Abuse Review Panel.

“You will be treated with empathy and respect and listened too in a place you feel safe.  We know only too well the lifelong harm abuse has on a child, and it’s important you feel confident that you will be supported, heard and believed.

“Investigating non-recent child sexual abuse is one of the most complex and challenging areas of policing.  The approach today to tackling child sexual abuse has evolved and is much improved in many aspects.  However, there is still much for us to do, and making these improvements is a significant priority for national policing.

“We remain dedicated to our relentless pursuit of offenders and work determinedly to bring them to justice as we tackle this most abhorrent abuse. Every child has the right to thrive in our society, protected from harm and supported by the institutions trusted with their care.”

Nicola Haywood, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor and CPS Child Sex Abuse lead, said:

“Words can never fully describe the lifelong trauma of child sex abuse. Victims deserve the best possible chance to get justice for the actions of their abusers.

“Unfortunately, in some cases there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction, but the panel has demonstrated our collective determination with police and others to look once again at whether there are new avenues for investigation and prosecution.

“In the past 10 years, since the panel was established, we have reviewed more than 200 cases. If you are an abuse victim who has been unhappy your case never reached a court, please get in touch with the Child Sexual Abuse Review Panel, to have your case re-considered by our panel of experts.”

Background:

The CSARP was set up in June 2013 to look again at cases that were not covered by the Victims’ Right to Review (VRR) scheme. VRR was introduced to make it easier for victims to seek a review of a CPS decision not to bring charges or to terminate all proceedings; however, the VRR only applies to decisions made on or after 5 June 2013.

CSARP consists of a Chief Crown Prosecutor, a chief police officer, a specialist prosecutor, an experienced child abuse police investigator, and an appropriate independent representative who meet quarterly to consider whether the approach taken by the police or CPS was wrong and advises whether the allegations should be reinvestigated by the police, or the prosecution decision reviewed by the CPS.

Cases will be considered if:

• The report is about an alleged sexual offence against the victim or survivor.
• The victim or survivor is referring to a report previously made to the police about the sexual offence.
• A decision to take no further action was taken by the police or by the CPS.
• The alleged sexual offences was committed when the victim or survivor was under 18 years of age.
• The alleged offender may still pose a risk.
• The alleged offence was committed in England and Wales.
• The case was investigated and marked no further action by police or CPS before 5 June 2013.
• It is important to note that even if the victim or survivor has previously asked the police or the CPS to look at the decision they made, their case will still be considered.

Cases will not be considered if:

• The victim or survivor hasn’t previously reported the matter to the police as this will therefore be a new complaint that the police will need to investigate.
• New evidence has come to light prompting a fresh investigation by the police.
• The case was investigated and marked no further action by police or CPS after 5 June 2013.

Notes to editors

To find out more about the campaign visit – Child Sexual Abuse Review Panel | The Hydrant Programme

Contact – hydrantenquiries@southyorks.pnn.police.uk

Tel: 07881727255

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the College of Policing today (5 September 2023) welcome, T/Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dr Alison Heydari, as the appointed Interim Programme Director for the Police Race Action Plan.

Previously serving as a Commander for the Metropolitan Police, Alison’s successful policing career began in 2000 as a student officer in Hampshire. Since then, Alison has progressed through the ranks to the most senior Black female police officer in the UK.

As the Interim Programme Director, Alison will lead the direction of the Police Race Action Plan, working with communities, the NPCC, national portfolio leads (including Stop and Search), College of Policing, Chief Constables and police officers and staff.

Her priority will be focusing on what will build trust, confidence and legitimacy, including:

• A comprehensive community strategy and delivery plan
• Ensuring meaningful engagement with stakeholders
• Prioritising activity which will make the biggest positive difference to Black communities
• Ensuring those carrying out this vital work have the necessary resources to do it well

Alison will also work in collaboration with the Independent Scrutiny and Oversight Board (ISOB), the National Black Policing Association (NBPA) and a range of organisations and stakeholders with roles and expertise in anti-racism.

The Plan was launched in 2020, following the murder of George Floyd and the resulting Black Lives Matter movement. The Plan sets out actions needed to build an anti-racist police service and address race disparities affecting Black people working within or interacting with policing.

T/Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dr Alison Heydari said:

“Policing has come a long way over my 23 year policing career, we are now more inclusive and diverse than we have ever been. However, there is still much to be done to remove all discrimination and gain the trust and confidence of our Black staff and members of the public.

“I am honoured to take on the role of Programme Director. It is vital, for the fundamental legitimacy of UK policing, that we achieve the commitments of the Police Race Action Plan.

 “At the core of the Plan, is the recognition that we need to involve Black people and to listen to their views at every stage of activity undertaken.

“The Plan is rightly ambitious and challenging. Inviting Black people, stakeholders, and ISOB to directly scrutinise pilots, evaluations, policies, practices and procedures is a new way of working for policing, and one I am proud to be part of delivering. It is only when we involve those who are most effected by our activity, to work with us on trialling new ways of working, that we can authentically achieve progress.

“Racism still exists in policing and that is unacceptable. Recent reports such as the Casey Review and media reports of racist incidents, highlight how important it is that we now work at pace to achieve change for Black people.”

Alison’s career began in 2000, policing with Hampshire Constabulary as a student officer. She was enrolled onto the Home Office Accelerated Promotion Scheme for Graduates, seeing her promoted to Sergeant with just over two years of service. 

Alison has a 22 year track record in driving change in equality, diversity and inclusion.  She has also worked in a wide range of specialist roles including, public protection, criminal investigations, hate crime, human trafficking and child abuse. Her operational experience has been complemented by secondments to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue and teaching at John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York.

Alison is also a trained Negotiator, and a Public Order and Public Safety Gold Commander. 

Most recently, Alison joined the Met in June 2020, serving as a Frontline Policing Commander, with additional responsibility for a number of portfolios including, as lead for neighbourhood policing. Her passion for the implementation of Procedural Justice is reflected in her commentaries, published papers and research.

Alison continued,

“There have been inspiring levels of determination and innovation on the Plan.

Including:

• The creation of a new reporting system for vehicle stops
• Utilising technology including augmented reality to support officer learning
• Improving accessibility for members of the public to join Advisory and Scrutiny panels
• Creating national guidance for a range of areas including pre record on body worn videos

“There is a wealth of activity currently being undertaken to achieve the commitments of the Plan, both nationally and at local policing levels.

“The next few months will be imperative, I will be working at pace with the NPCC, College of Policing, Black Stakeholders and Chief Constables to set the Plan’s next stage of delivery.

National Police Chiefs’ Council Chair, Gavin Stephens, said:

“I am delighted to welcome Alison as the Interim Programme Director of the Police Race Action Plan. The wide ranging and vast experience she brings to her role, is a real asset for the Plan.

“Removing discrimination in our service remains a key priority for myself and all Chief Constables.

“Whilst building an anti-racist policing service is a momentous undertaking, I am confident that with Alison taking a lead, the Plan will achieve our ambitions, and provide a policing service that can be trusted by everyone we serve.”

Independent Scrutiny and Oversight Chair, Abimbola Johnson, said:

“We welcome the appointment of Dr Alison Heydari as the new Interim Programme Director for the Race Action Plan.  This fills an important vacancy in the Programme structure where key leadership is required. We hope that Dr Heydari will provide a fresh perspective on the Plan that will incorporate the innovative thinking required to deliver its anti-racist goal.”

“As highlighted in our first annual report, there are key opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for the Race Action Plan. We have outlined our key recommendations for the next stages of the Race Action Programme, including:

• Restructuring the Race Action Programme to better reflect an anti-racism programme
• Provision of adequate resourcing to the Plan
• An increase in engagement with external stakeholders
• The development and delivery of a clear communications strategy
• Tangible and measurable performance metrics
• Identification of clear areas of focus
• Improvements to the flow of information to the Independent Scrutiny & Oversight Board.

“We hope that our feedback serves as a blueprint for how the Race Action Plan can become an actionable, robust, and genuinely anti-racist programme of work that the public deserves.”

“We look forward to working with Dr Heydari to ensure that the Race Action Plan achieves the aims it set out to accomplish three years ago.”

Police staff will receive a pay increase of 7 per cent, matching that that was previously agreed for police officers as part of the Police Remuneration Review Body recommendation.

An agreement was reached by the Police Staff Council after an offer was made and was accepted by each union following a ballot of their members. The pay increase of 7 per cent will apply to all pay points and will apply from 1 September 2023.

National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Workforce, Chief Constable Pam Kelly, said:

“I’m delighted that the pay award for staff has been agreed at 7 per cent. Our police staff bring their expertise and skills to work alongside us to ensure we can deliver the best possible service to our communities. It is only right that the valuable contributions of police staff get the same recognition as our officers.”

Proposals for ban on machetes and harsher sentences to be progressed

The Home Office has today announced it will be progressing a number of changes to knife crime legislation proposed in consultation with the NPCC Knife Crime Working Group. Proposals include:

• A ban on certain types of machetes and knives which seem to have no practical use and seem to be designed to look menacing and suitable for combat.  
• A new police power to seize, retain and destroy lawfully held bladed articles in private premises – this power can be applied only if the police are in the property lawfully already, and have reasonable grounds to believe that the article is to be used in serious crime or serious violence. 
• Increasing the maximum penalty for the offences of importation, manufacture, sale and general supply of prohibited and dangerous weapons and sale of knives to persons under 18 years old, to 2 years. 
• The Sentencing Council to consider amending the Sentencing Guidelines relating to possession of bladed articles and offensive weapons so that possession of a prohibited weapon is treated more seriously than possession of a non-prohibited weapon.  
• The introduction of a new possession offence of bladed articles with the intention to endanger life or to cause fear of violence.   

National Police Chiefs’ Council Knife Crime Lead, Commander Stephen Clayman, said: 

“The proposals in the consultation followed extensive collaboration between the Home Office and the NPCC National Knife Crime working group. Together, we worked to develop practical, sustainable solutions to remove these lethal weapons from our streets.  

“These five proposals will all offer additional robust measures to deal with those who seek to use knives for violence. Ultimately, when used appropriately, they provide a greater means to protect the public and safeguard our communities. 

“Every day as police officers we see first-hand the devastating effects of these deadly weapons on the lives of individuals, particularly young people and we must always look at what action can be taken to prevent access to knives that are used for violence, intimidation and harm. 

“We look forward to working with Government on the next steps for making these proposals a reality, strengthening our fight against knife crime.”  

Police chiefs and Government considering law changes to crack down on keyless vehicle thefts

• Work ongoing to determine how legislation could stop sale of devices used in theft of keyless vehicles
• Disposal routes including ports and ‘chop shops’ targeted by police
• Serious organised crime groups suspected to be responsible for significant proportion of vehicle thefts

Policing is working with Government to look at ways legislation can stop the sale of devices like keyless repeaters and signal jammers which are believed to be involved in the majority of vehicle thefts in the UK in recent years.

Many of these devices have no legitimate purpose and as such, the National Police Chiefs’ Council, in partnership with the Home Office, is examining how their sale and possession could be made criminal offences.

Police and Government also work with online retailers and marketplace platforms to either prohibit the sale of the devices or to remove listings when they go live, another route to taking the tools away from the criminals responsible for vehicle theft. In addition, work is ongoing with manufacturers on theft prevention and developing technology to prevent these devices being effective.

Removing access to keyless repeaters, jammers and similar devices is just one element of tackling vehicle theft but one which is predicted could have a significant impact.

Superintendent Matthew Moscrop is part of the National Police Chiefs’ Council team working to target vehicle theft. He said:

“The widespread use of keyless technology has unfortunately led to the development of devices which are easily accessible and make stealing vehicles all too straightforward for criminals.

“We’re working with the Home Office and Government to establish how we could put a stop to the sale of these devices which would certainly make life much more difficult for thieves, reducing the tactics available to them. We also regularly engage with vehicle manufacturers on theft prevention and security features to protect vehicles.

“Disposal routes for stolen vehicles are also a key focus and we work closely with the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NAVCIS) to target ports which we know are a key route for moving stolen vehicles, as well as with police forces and colleagues in the NPCC metal theft portfolio to tackle so-called ‘chop shops’.

“Intelligence suggests a large proportion of vehicle theft can be attributed to organised crime groups and there have been a number of successful operations around the country which have led to the discovery of not only stolen vehicles but also ammunition and drugs.

“Tackling vehicle crime needs approaching from several different angles and we can only achieve this through working closely with our partners in both Government and industry.”

Successful policing operations across the country have resulted in the recovery of stolen cars but also ammunition and drugs too. Examples include:

Essex Police Vehicle Intelligence Unit uncover ‘chop shop’ 

Merseyside Police recover chemicals, drugs, ammunition and stolen vehicles 

Nottinghamshire Police recover suspected stolen speed boat in ‘chop shop’ raid

There are a few simple ways to protect your vehicle from theft:

• Store keys in a Faraday box or pouch
• Ensure your vehicle is secured when you leave it. Check and double check it is locked
• A steering lock is very effective at preventing thieves stealing your vehicle
• When parking away from home use a ParkMark secured car park
• Keep an eye out for any suspicious activity in your local area