Latest changes to APP

Updated link to PPST Guidance on college learn as link guide had been updated.

Under the section titled Candidates and Campaigners section, the following paragraph was added in 'Forces should also note that s30 Elections Act 2022 introduces ‘disqualification orders’. These may apply against any individual who is convicted of an intimidatory criminal offence motivated by hostility towards a candidate, future candidate or campaigner or holder of a relevant elective office (note: schedule 9 of the Elections Act 2022 presents specific relevant offences). A disqualification order is imposed by the courts and prevents the convicted individual from standing for election, being elected to, or holding a relevant elective office for a period of five years. Investigators should, therefore, consider motivation when investigating any offences listed in schedule 9 against candidates and campaigners'. 

Also in the first paragraph under Candidates and Campaigners, the third sentence was replaced with 'Products, including Welsh language versions, are also available from the electoral Commission', and the fourth sentence was deleted.

Under the sub-heading 'Threshold Test' - deleted last sentence in the second to last paragraph. 'The charging decision should be recorded on the MG3/3A forms. Also deleted the bullet 'the Complete list of MG forms' underneath the heading 'Preparing a file of evidence.' The MG forms have been replaced by CPS guidance (DG6/NFS).

Part of welfare of the detainee, underneath the subheading Choking - a link out to FFLM endorsed guidance fixed. It was taking people to an archived version. The link was deleted, title changed to reflect wording on the new document and correct link added.

Under the 'Legal framework' heading, a link to the the NPCC (2022) document 'National Strategy for Police Custody' has been added to the bullet point list.

Under the 'Healthcare professionals' heading, the link to the 2003 Home Office Circular was out of date. This has been deleted and replaced with a link to FFLM's (2024) document 'The Role of the Healthcare Professional'. The citation was changed to reflect this also. 

Under the sub-heading 'Procedures needed to manage potential risk' within content on infectious diseases, a link to FFLM Managing blood-borne virus exposures in custody was replaced (2018) with an updated version (2022). This will need updating in 2025 when the revised guidance will be published.

The APCC have published new guidance aimed at preventing deaths in custody (June 2024). This was put together in association with Anton Menzies. Upon his request, this link was placed at the top of the Deaths in custody section.

Under the section heading Impartiality, the NPCC (2019) document link for Pre-election guidance in the last paragraph has been replaced with 2024 version. Also, changed the title of the document to match the document itself (previously summarised) - Guidance for Interaction with Candidates and Conduct during Pre-election Period.

Under the heading 'Conduct of searches', the sentence below in bold/italics was deleted at the request of custody SPM. This has caused confusion for officers/trainers as the information relates to strip searches and not those at the custody desk.

Officers and staff should carry out searches with respect and dignity. They should do so in an area where the detainee can neither be seen by anyone who does not need to be present nor by a member of the opposite sex.

Updated contents of the page