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 | Victim safety and support |
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| Major investigation and public protection > Domestic abuse | Call handler and front counter staff response to a domestic abuse incident |
Removed: For further information see College of Policing (2015) The Essex Body Worn Video Trial, Owens, Mann and McKenna. Added: See NPCC Body Worn Video Guidance (2023) |
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| Major investigation and public protection > Domestic abuse | First response | Throughout the module, where the abbreviation HBV is used it was swapped to HBA Body-worn video Under further information see, the two bullets were deleted and the reference NPCC (2023) Body-Worn Video guidance was added and a new link included. Why a victim might appear unwilling to engage Beneath the ‘You might be thinking’ tables, under ‘See also’ the last bullet was deleted and the links updated. Unsupportive victims and the evidence-led approach The Joint NPCC and CPS checklist link has been updated. Under ‘See’ the three checklist links have been corrected. First accounts and body-worn video Under ‘See body-worn video’ the link has been updated. Victim’s views on obtaining a restraining order and victim personal statement MG5 replaced with ‘case summary’ x 2. Last paragraph wording insertion: ‘officers must evidence impact on the victim in the initial testimony. It is one of the points to prove for controlling or coercive behaviour. They will be able to make a more detailed…this is a right under the MoJ Code of Practice for Victims’. Injury photos Paragraph inserted, comes second after bullets. ‘It is important for officers to be aware of skin tone bias when assessing injuries and requesting photographs of injuries on darker skin. Differences in redness and bruising visibility need to be taken into account when photos are taken. This may require use of a specialist photographer.’ Free national helpline details Link updated and Women’s Aid removed from the Refuge helpline. Welsh Women’s Aid link updated. Referrals to voluntary sector support agencies First paragraph. Deletion of text from ‘the police should’ to ‘explicit consent from the victim to do so.’ Replaced with ‘a victim has the right to access support services, whether or not they choose to report the crime to the police. Officers should be aware of and able to refer victims to appropriate support services, including those by and for minority groups. They should take into consideration any increased risk to the victim that a referral might create.’ Abbreviation in brackets (BME) removed. Paragraph commencing ‘For information on more specialist services, the Women’s Aid’ – Gold Book link corrected. Paragraph commencing ‘Officer should ensure not…’ Added the last sentence: ‘Officers should also keep in mind the possibility that a perpetrator may try to find the victim through a missing person’s report.’ NCDV – added last sentence: ‘These services are means tested.’ CPS DA guidelines – changed Annex D to E and corrected the link. |
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| Major investigation and public protection > Domestic abuse | First response national decision model (NDM) tool | Corrected a broken link /app/major-investigation-and-public-protection/domestic-abuse/victim-safety-and-support#keeping-the-victim-informed |
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| Major investigation and public protection > Domestic abuse | First response quick reference guide – domestic abuse | 7 broken links corrected to internal sections of DA APP. |
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| Major investigation and public protection > Domestic abuse | First response supervisor's checklist - domestic abuse | Item 6 changed DASH to DARA Item 22 on the checklist - amended wording from harassment and stalking to harassment or stalking. |
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| Major investigation and public protection > Domestic abuse | Introduction to authorised professional practice on domestic abuse |
Old wording: It responds to a number of developments in the field of domestic abuse, in particular a new Home Office definition of domestic violence and abuse. The definition recognises… New wording: It responds to a number of developments in the field of domestic abuse, in particular a new Home Office definition of domestic violence and abuse, and the statutory definition set out in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. These recognise the significance…
ONS link updated to 2016 version and percentage changed from 46% to 44%. Addition of ‘For more information on domestic abuse figures see Domestic abuse in England and Wales overview 2023.’
Code of Practice for Victims of Crime link updated to 2020 version from 2015 version. |
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| Major investigation and public protection > Domestic abuse | The role of domestic abuse specialists in supporting investigation and incident management | Minor changes to content under the 'Investigation' heading: The following sentence has been removed: Cases categorised as high risk should normally be identified as serious and complex in the force investigation policy.
References to MAPPA have been removed, and clarification around LSCBs has been added. |
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| Major investigation and public protection > Domestic abuse | Using domestic violence protection notices and domestic violence protection orders to make victims safer | In the introduction section, the line for further information was amended to delete date and the word 'interim'. The link was also deleted and replaced with the correct, working link. Changes were made twice, once to DVPN then DVPO sections. These changes were:
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| Major investigation and public protection > Domestic abuse | Domestic abuse quick access checklists | 4 broken links fixed, all to internal checklists. Protecting the scene, statement of the first officer at the scene, DVPO application, role of the specialist domestic abuse officer. |