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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major investigation and public protection > Domestic abuse | Post-arrest management of suspect and casefile | In the 'Making bail decisions' section, under the heading 'Pre-charge bail – conditions or no conditions?' the following paragraphs have been deleted: If the person is bailed under PACE section 34(5), which applies where further investigation is needed but the grounds for detention have ceased to apply and the person must be immediately released, conditions cannot be attached to the bail. See also Torres, R (on the application of) v The Commission of Police of the Metropolis [2007] EWHC 3212 (Admin). |
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| Major investigation and public protection > Missing persons | Missing persons | Updated the link to the UKMPU. |
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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 | Link to the old 'A Guide to Investigating Child Death’ has been updated and replaced with the new 'Practice advice on child death investigation' |
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| Professional standards | Vetting | A notice has been added to state that the Vetting APP should now be read with the judgment of the High Court in Di Maria v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis |
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| Major investigation and public protection > Homicide | Homicide - Guidance overview | Link to guidance on child death updated to NPCC (2025) Practice Advice on Child Death Investigation - https://library.college.police.uk/docs/NPCC/Practice-advice-child-death-investigation-2024-V1.03.pdf replacing the old link. |
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| Mobilisation | Mobilisation | Updated link to NPCC National Policing Guidelines on Charging for Police Services to 2024 guidance. |
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| Civil emergencies > Disaster victim identification | Recovering and identifying the deceased and human remains | Wording changed under VHAA section to ensure clarification |
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| Civil emergencies > Disaster victim identification | Recovering and identifying the deceased and human remains | Wording added under reconciliation files to reflect guidance on recording gender on reconciliation reports. |
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| Civil emergencies > Disaster victim identification | Health, safety, wellbeing and welfare | Link to 'Striking the balance between operational and health and safety duties in the Police Service' has been updated from 2009 version to the most recent (2018) version. |
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| Civil emergencies > Disaster victim identification | DVI roles and responsibilities | Entire section has been subject to review through the APP maintenance process. This includes wording changes, reordering, additional information added, and existing information deleted. Changes include:
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