Overview of the latest changes to APP.
APP is subject to review (either scheduled or triggered) in consultation with the relevant National Policing Business Area. All amendments go through a review process and further information is available from contactus@college.police.uk
More detailed changes to APP content may be recorded separately by the the APP team. If you require a copy of APP as it was on a particular date (for example, for an enquiry) please email contactcentre@college.police.uk. All requests must be approved by the relevant Policing Standards Manager.
Latest changes to APP
| Date | Category | Guidance | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armed policing | Armed deployment | Armed deployment - record keeping section. An operational practice that has not previously been acknowledged in APP has been added. An insertion of a short paragraph after the initial existing paragraph was added. |
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| Armed policing | Command | Part of the first paragraph under 'Transfer of command' contradicted two other sections. Wording was amended to make it consistent. |
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| Armed policing | Post-deployment | Under 'Separating KPWs', first sentence, fifth word - deleted 's' on firearms (typo). Under 'Media releases', beneath bullets, deleted first sentence as this was duplicated below it. |
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| Covert policing | Undercover policing | Added update to undercover policing overview to let users know this APP is currently under review. |
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| Detention and custody | Control, restraint and searches | Link to IAP document on use of force was broken within the Control, restraints and searches > The prone position and positional asphyxia section. This was updated. |
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| Information management | Information sharing | Information sharing sub-section updated. |
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| Major investigation and public protection > 'Honour'-based abuse | Background advice note | In the Annex list, the title of stalking and harassment was changed. The 'and' was swapped for 'or', aligned with the new APP changes. |
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| Major investigation and public protection > Investigating child abuse and safeguarding children > Police response to investigating child abuse | Risk and associated investigations | Stalking and harassment section has been changed to refer to stalking 'or' harassment in line with the new APP. A change has been made to the title, one reference in the text and in the forward mention of the APP. |
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| Professional standards | Vetting | Note added to overview about the amended Police (Vetting) Regulations 2025 that came into force on 13 July 2026. |
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| Missing persons | Initial contact | Following review, a revised version of the missing persons APP is now available. This replaces previous versions, which have now been archived. If you need to access historical versions, email contactus@college.police.uk. |