Latest changes – major investigation and public protection

The British Transport Police section has been rewritten and updated. 

Changed reference to - National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), Crown Prosecution Service (2020) Knife crime practical guidance - and removed sentence afterwards - 'This guidance is for police officers and prosecutors.'

New reference - Crown Prosecution Service (2025) Knife and other weapons offences.

Whole section under 'Unexplained death' updated.

Operational guidance replaced with updated link. Removed information about revised guidance.

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).

Updated the link to the UKMPU.

Link to the old 'A Guide to Investigating Child Death’ has been updated and replaced with the new 'Practice advice on child death investigation'

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. 

Stalking or harassment advice for police responders PDF replaced for Jan 2025 version.

 'ACPO (2014) A Guide to Investigating Child Deaths' replaced with 'NPCC Practice Advice on Child Death Investigation'.

NPCC definition for group based CSE added.

Link to 'Superintendent’s authorisation to make an application for a SPO' updated as broken

Link to Annex A updated. 

College of Policing (2019) Practice advice: The medical investigation of suspected homicide has been updated to: Home Office (2024) Practice advice: The medical investigation of suspected homicide

Link to 'CPS offences against the person' (appearing in the 12th and 13th box of the table) updated as previous link was broken

Under the section titled: Providing support to victims - a sentence has been added, to take the sentence from this:

Police forces should also ensure that such victims are given a full explanation of the force's domestic abuse workplace policy and kept fully informed about the progress of internal investigations and misconduct processes. 

To this:

Police forces should also ensure that such victims are given a full explanation of the force's domestic abuse workplace policy and kept fully informed about the progress of internal investigations and misconduct processes. This includes making sure they understand when they are the complainant or Interested Person in an internal complaint or conduct investigation - as opposed to being the victim in any criminal investigation. In all cases, police should ensure they are willing to pursue the investigation.

Under the section titled: Specific management considerations when dealing with police perpetrators of domestic abuse - the following sentence has been updated from this:

Allegations of domestic abuse involving police suspects must always be appropriately treated as police complaints or conduct matters and investigated as an allegation of police misconduct.

To this:

Allegations of domestic abuse involving police suspects must always be appropriately treated as police complaints or conduct matters and investigated as an allegation of police misconduct, regardless of whether or not it is being pursued as a criminal matter. 

At the bottom of the page, the following bullet point as been added: 

The Crown Prosecution Service have published Easy read victims' guides for victims of rape or serious sexual assault which provides information on support available from the point a crime is committed through to the end of the criminal justice process.

Full update to include 2 new pieces of guidance 

Amending rank of de-registering PDP from superintendents to inspectors

Minor grammar amends throughout.

'2021' added after the Domestic Abuse Act under the sub-heading Domestic Abuse Commissioner. 

Domestic Homicide Report sub-section of this module was amended following product author recommendations. These were minor amendments to punctuation, syntax and the way the animation was referred to. 

Vulnerable adult abuse investigation; Stalking or harassment; Sexual offences - subsections have been amended after product author checks on the changes made after the super-complaint. These changes are very minor to grammar, syntax (in some cases, eg, separating long sentences).

Specific management considerations when dealing with police perpetrators of domestic abuse; Inter-force arrangements; Reviews of the investigation; Providing support to victims has had minor amendments to capitalisation and other grammatical/syntactical choices. These were carried out after product author checks were received on new/significantly amended sections of DA APP subsequent to a super-complaint. 

Children as victims of domestic abuse - This section has been updated following receipt of product author checks. These amendments are limited to very minor punctuation or syntactical changes, removing capitals when unnecessary and updating a report date.

Contact from prisoners and Sanctuary schemes sub-sections were amended following receipt of product author checks. These sections were recently amended (contact was new) from a DA super-complaint and PA checks were applied subsequently. The changes in both sections are very minimal, such as punctuation.

The following question has been added to the Initial questions for the person who has submitted the missing report question set: 

Has any contact from the missing person’s phone and/or social media led you to believe that the handset and/or social media accounts are in the possession of someone else?” If ‘yes,’ please explain why.

Multiple links updated throughout 'arrest' section. 

Links updated under the subsection 'arrest' in relation to the Directors Guidance on Charging now 6th edition replacing the previously listed 5th edition, and to the Joint NPCC and CPS Evidence Gathering Checklist for use by Police Forces and CPS in Cases of Domestic Abuse. 

Receiving the report

1st paragraph/last sentence – ‘Forces could consider…’ – deleted end of this sentence from this point and replaced with ‘recommending the use of the Police.uk online domestic abuse reporting tool.’ Link added.

End of the section added two sentences – ‘Officers should carefully consider…’; ‘An incident may not…’

Child abuse investigations

1^st paragraph – deleted the link to ‘In plain sight.’

Honour-based violence, forced marriage and female genital mutilation

Changed title to HB abuse and removed hyphen. Changed HBV to HBA in all instances throughout section.

After bullets, added a link list with preceding ‘See also:’ Added links to APP FM and HBA and APP FGM.

Vulnerable adult abuse investigation

Added the paragraph commencing ‘The Department of Health and Social Care…’ Including addition of a link to the Policy paper: Safe care at home review (Home Office and Department of Health and Social Care, 2023).

Paragraph starting ‘Whatever the origin of the…’ - inserted ‘domestic abuse’ prior to ‘investigation.’

For further information see: Added link and signpost to APP on adults at risk; updated wording and link to Department of Health and Social Care (2024) Care and support statutory guidance; and updated link/signpost to the Safe care at home review.

Stalking and harassment

Title changed ‘and’ to ‘or’. Did this throughout the section.

Added the following underneath original content:

‘Consider the mnemonic FOUR when assessing if behaviour is potentially stalking. Are the behaviours:

• Fixated
• Obsessive
• Unwanted
• Repeated

Harassment may form part of stalking behaviour, so do not underestimate the potential risk of harm to the victim.

See the Advice to police responders to ensure an effective response to stalking or harassment.

If the victim is at risk of harm, consider whether a Stalking Protection Order or interim order may be appropriate, depending on whether the criminal threshold has been met. For further information, see the APP on Stalking or harassment.’

Homicide

Opening statement changed – removed year/percentages from ONS and added a new link, plus the sentence ‘Office for National Statistics’ data show that on an average year, around half of female homicides are perpetrated by a partner or ex-partner, compare to less than 10% of male homicides. Updated the ONS link.

At the bottom of the section added ‘See also:’ and a link list. Wording and link for Domestic Homicide Project’s (2024) Domestic Homicides and Suspected Victim Suicides 2022-2023 Report; APP on FM and HBA.

Suicide

Title changed to Unexplained and unexpected death

First paragraph rewritten. ‘A suicide’ edited to ‘An investigation into an unexplained death…background to an apparent suicide.’ Added ‘Officers should actively consider this when attending the scene and wherever possible run background checks on history of domestic abuse crimes and non-crime incidents at the time. Slower-time investigations into the history can be done subsequently.’

Added below this ‘Where there is evidence of any offences having been committed, officers should arrest and charge accordingly. ‘

‘Where this is suspected,’ cut. Now reads: ‘Officers should also consider…’

‘See also:’ added. Link list created and signpost and link added for 

• Domestic Homicide Project’s Vulnerability Knowledge & Practice Programme Domestic Homicides and Suspected Victim Suicides year one, two and three reports.
• College of Policing (2023) Categories for unexpected death investigations
• CPS (2024) guidance on Homicide: Murder, manslaughter, infanticide and causing or allowing the death or serious injury of a child or vulnerable adult.
• CPS (2023) guidance on Controlling or Coercive Behaviour in an Intimate Family Relationship.
• APP on Suicide and bereavement response.

Missing person who is an alleged domestic abuse victim

Changed honour based violence to HB abuse, and abbreviated HBV to HBA.

Prostitution

Changed title to Sex Work

Replaced ‘prostitution’ with ‘sex work’ x 5.

The CPS guidelines previously included and linked to, replaced with NPCC (2024) Sex Work National Police Guidance.

Sexual offences

Content added to the end of this section: 

‘Operation Soteria is a multiyear project launched in response to the Government End-to-End Rape Review to bring in effective tools and techniques to ensure justice outcomes are achieved for sexual offences. A National Operating Model for response to rape and serious sexual assault has been developed that aims to improve policing procedures, increase charge rate and support equity across justice processes and outcomes. 

To apply the principles of this model when responding to sexual offences, officers should be: 

• victim-centred, by empowering victims by providing them with information so they can make decisions
• suspect-focused, by securing good quality evidence to ensure a full and thorough investigation can be done
• context-led, by considering the situation, relationship of the suspect and victim, and desires of the victim.

About the national operating model provides further information.  

Related resources:

• APP on Rape and sexual offences
• College of Policing Briefing note: For police first responders to a report of rape or sexual assault

Made several swaps throughout from Violence to abuse - this related to Helpline references, HBV to HBA etc.

Nine questions for the force

Q3, bullet 7 - wording changed from 'cautioning and restorative justice' to 'out of court resolutions'.

Q7, bullet 7 - '...employed by its own police force members, whether staff or officers?' 

Q9, bullet 2, sub-bullet 3 - added DARA before DASH. Sub-bullet added to the end 'handling of police perpetrated DA allegations and associated referrals to professional standards department for investigation?

Domestic abuse as core business

Beneath 'Management considerations include:' - bullet 2 - HBV Violence amended to HBA Assault. Prostitution changed for sex work.

Multi-agency considerations

Bullet 1 replaced LSCBs with 'other safeguarding adults or children's boards.'

Meeting the welfare needs of DA specialists

Deleted last sentence and link. Replaced with a reference and text related to Oscar Kilo.

Performance management

Deleted reference to 'There is currently no national framework...' and ref to MoJ Action plan. 

Added text and link to NPCC Policing VAWG.

Removed 'at Annex A'

Victim safety and support

Bullet 3 replaced reference and link to Victims' Code.

DV disclosure schemes

Removed date from HO reference; removed date from MoJ reference and word 'New'

Initial contact

Removed date from HO reference. Under initial checks, 2nd bullet added 'in which case, immediate action should be taken'.

Face to face meeting

Deleted date from HO citation

Full risk assessment

Deleted 'Where the applicant is the potential victim' and 'within five working days.' Added 'This should be revisited...' sentence beneath.

Referral to the local decision-making forum changed to multi-agency panel. Changed within first paragraph also. Changed five working days to 10.

Concern

Sentence added at bottom of section, starting 'If at any time...'

No concern

Sentence starting 'It is for the...' local decision-making forum swapped to multi-agency panel. 

HO citation - deleted date.

Maintaining a record for the disclosure consideration

HO - removed date; removed reference to annexes; removed 'local decision making forum from end of bullet.

Deleted the second paragraph:

The APP 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 the significance of controlling or coercive behaviour in better understanding domestic abuse. During the development of this APP, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) also released its findings from a major inspection of how all police forces in England and Wales handle allegations of domestic abuse. 

And added content starting with the definition of domestic abuse, all the way down to the related resources links. 

Domestic abuse definitions

Deleted the cross-government definition and replaced with a statement about the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, including a link. 

Removed ‘but it not limited to’ prior to the bullets. Changed the bullets from psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional; to physical or sexual; violent or threatening; controlling or coercive; economic; psychological, emotional or other.

Stated Female Genital Mutilation in full. Fixed the link to this APP.

Added beneath ‘Detailed guidance relating specifically to forced marriage (FM) and honour based abuse (HBA) is set out in the APP on Forced marriage and honour based abuse.’ Included link.

Next sentence ‘…to be linked…’ deleted ‘to one of the above’ and replaced with ‘to FGM, HBA and/or FM,’

The paragraph starting ‘Officers and staff…’ above the ‘For further information sentence’ – added ‘As with all reports to the police, officers...’

Home Office reference updated to DA Statutory guidance 2022.

New section added titled Domestic Homicide Report. Three new paragraphs and a link to YouTube animation.

Controlling or coercive behaviour

Paragraph inserted second about unexpected death.

Description of controlling or coercive behaviour

The Home Office descriptions previously given have been deleted. A link to the Statutory Guidance has been inserted instead.

Further explanation of controlling or coercive behaviour

Under bullets, the paragraph starting ‘Further examples’ – links were replaced to more up to date content. 

The offence of controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship

Paragraph added at the end, after numbered list. This signposts to Home Office and CPS sources and deletes the previous ‘See…’ information.

Repeatedly or continuously

The last sentence was added ‘It is not...’

Personally connected when the behaviour took place

Added reference to the DA Act 2021 changing the bullets to reflect this definition.

A sentence added beneath about the Act removing previous requirements for people to be living together. Also adding a reference and link to the Family Law Act.

Deleted a sentence ‘The offence does not…’ as it is out of date and incorrect now.

Amended wording of last paragraph to be clearer and give a signpost (and link) to Child abuse APP. 

What statistics tells us

First bullet – added word ‘approximately’, changed the percentages to reflect a different ONS report (more recent), added the word ‘experienced’ for clarity and updated the link.

Deleted the last three bullets.

Paragraph starts ‘In all cases…’ – updated the link to CPS; deleted the text that starts ‘state that…’ and ends ‘or the complainant’ replacing it with a reference to DA Act s 3. Also replaced the CPS guidance and the link to a more recent, appropriate one for child suspects.

Paragraph starts ‘With regards’ – added statement ‘in line with the Family Law Act 1996’ and added the last four bullets of relationship types. Added a signpost and link for s 63 of Family Law Act.

Next para, ‘Officers and staff...’ – minor wording changes to the second sentence.

Serial perpetrator

Last sentence – link/signpost text changed.

Collection of data

DV disclosure scheme link corrected.

Offences associated with domestic abuse

Table. Possible offences, 2^nd down – added text about strangulation and suffocation and reference/links to Serious Crime Act.

Examples of behaviour, Forced sexual activity – added text about gang initiation (left side).

Examples of behaviour, changed ‘Revenge Pornography’ to ‘Threats to send or sending intimate images or videos. Right side – added signpost and link to Sex Offences Act; updated CPS signpost and link; Added link/signpost to CoP 2024 Sharing photographs. Updated signpost from ‘Revenge P’ to ‘Threats to send…’ 

Why do victims continue abusive relationships?

Deleted this section due to duplication.

Added sub-heading Strategies to overcome barriers to reporting

Added the paragraph underneath.

Behavioural conditions that may affect a victim’s response to the police

Deleted reference to Stockholm syndrome. 

Reasons why a victim may continue an abusive relationship

Added a paragraph initially explaining this is common.

Links updated: 

• Domestic Abuse Guidance
• Joint NPCC and CPS Evidence Gathering Checklist
• Directors Guidance on Charging 5th edition - changed to 6th edition 
• Statutory Guidance on Controlling and Coercive Behaviour 
• CPS Domestic Abuse Guidelines for Prosecutors
• Guidance for Best Practice for the Management of Intimate Images that may become Evidence in Court
• Victims Code updated from 2015 to 2020 version
• Home Office Controlling and Coercive Behaviour Statutory Guidance Framework
• ACRO Criminal Records updated link
• link to Intelligence Investigations APP updated
• Schengen Info System link updated
• Home Office Human Intelligence Sources College of Policing 
• Body Worn Video link updated 

Paragraph on 'assist' deleted. 

• HM Government Information Sharing link updated 
• Removal of obtaining and using documents and information from family proceedings reference link
• Removal of reference to 2013 Protocol and Good Practice Model under checklist for sharing evidence for family court hearings section and also under the proceeding section 
• Addition of the 'Domestic Abuse Commissioner' section 
• Reference to Domestic Abuse Act 2021 included under CJS section 
• Local safeguarding children boards title changed to 'multi-agency safeguarding arrangements'
• References to LSCB changed to MASA
• Reference to working together to safeguarding children 2023 included 
• Removal of reference to Department Health Care and Support Statutory Guidance 2014 replaced with Department Health and Social Care Statutory Guidance
• MAPPA Guidance replaced Ministry of Justice 2012 v.4 guidance on MAPPA
• Removal of wording 'August 2013' from multi agency guidance DHR guidance section

• Reference to suicide risk in custody plans added in
• Reference to risk of suicide when Domestic Abuse perpetrators come to the attention of the police added in 
• Reference to Domestic Abuse injury photos added
• Reference to APP on Detention and Custody added
• Update to wording on the use of interpreters section 
• Wording change from honour based violence to honour based abuse added
• Home Office 2015 Guidance on Firearms Licencing updated to 2022 version 
• Reference to APP on Gun Crime added

Approaches to risk assessment

IDVA link updated.

Penultimate bullet added, commences ‘Known trigger points…’

HBV swapped to HBA.

Changed and added to the text at the end regarding DARA. Added sentence ‘Since this recommendation…’ and ‘Domestic Abuse Risk Assessment…’ DARA learning materials linked to College Learn.

Particular issues affecting certain groups of victims

Deleted ‘For further information’ – link is out of date and no replacements available.

Victims from different cultural backgrounds

‘Violence’ changed to ‘abuse’; HBV changed to HBA – all occurrences.

‘For further information…’ – deleted Resolution link. Changed CPS to updated wording and link. Added signpost and links to Multi-agency statutory guidance for FM, and FM resource pack.

Victims with insecure or uncertain immigration status

2^nd paragraph, last line – added ‘They may particularly fear the loss of their children.’

Immigration Rules link corrected.

‘For further information see’ – one source no longer available, deleted this and removed bullets as only one remaining. Updated signposting and link to Women’s Aid resource.

Information sharing with immigration enforcement

First sentence, deleted ‘approved by Chief Constables’ Council on 23 April 2020.’

Male victims

Updated name of charity from Men’s Advice Line to Respect and corrected the link.

Corrected the links for the UK Gold Book; the Mankind Initiative; the Oak Book.

‘For further information see’ – deleted the CPS signpost and link. Added Domestic Abuse Commissioner support signpost and link; Respect Men’s Advice Line signpost and link.

Victims from lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities

HBV changed to HBA.

‘For further information’ – Added signpost and link to APP Victim and witness care. Corrected broken links to the Control Wheel and CPS advice.

‘Organisations that can assist…’ – corrected links to GALOP, Stonewall and Stonewall Scotland.

‘For further information see’ – deleted the first bulleted link and took away bullets. Corrected the remaining signpost and link to Donovan et al. 

Scottish Transgender Alliance link and signpost wording corrected.

ONS signpost wording and link corrected.

Victims with a disability

Inserted the word ‘significantly’ prior to ‘more likely to experience DA’, mid-paragraph. Removed the specific ONS percentages line as this is quickly out of date and fluctuates annually. Updated the ONS link and signpost to their website.

‘See also’ – updated wording and link for CPS. Added ‘The Unseen’ link.

Teenagers and young persons

Paragraph commencing ‘Similarly, if the…’ last sentence – changed wording slightly ‘…schools and charities, such as…’ – deleted ‘Troubled Families’ and included SafeLives and added a link.

Paragraph starts ‘Changes in how people communicate…’ – second sentence, added: ‘This could be’ before directly, for example, by sending abusive or harassing messages or; then added ‘sending or threatening to send intimate images or videos.’

‘For further information see’ – deleted first bulleted link as no longer valid. Added SafeLives and deleted remaining three, as well as bullet format. 

NEW SECTION: Children as victims of domestic abuse

This entire section is new.

Abuse of older people

Added paragraph before the ‘For further information see’ – Starts ‘Section 42’. 

Deleted the paragraph ‘Some useful multi-agency case examples’ – this was previously the last paragraph before the ‘For further information’ part.

‘For further information see’ – deleted Action on Elder Abuse and replaced with Hourglass signpost and link. Deleted CPS. Added policy guidance link to CPS; added APP links to Adults at risk; vulnerable adults; vulnerable adult abuse investigation and safeguarding adults boards.

Children to parent abuse

Removed the last sentence of the first paragraph and replaced with ‘the definition includes those with a parent relationship with the child, so would cover foster parents, for example. 

‘For further resources’ – Family Lives link corrected; Respect signpost and link added; PAARS deleted.

‘For further information see’ – Deleted CPS and Home Office. Changed SafeLives link and signposting and deleted list format. 

Sibling abuse

First paragraph/first sentence took the link off the definition of domestic abuse.

Deleted the next paragraph.

• CPS Domestic Abuse Guidelines for Prosecutors changed from Annex D to Annex E
• Removal of Women's Aid Survival Charter paragraph
• CPS Guidance on Victims Personal Statement updated
• CPS Guidance on Special Measures updated 
• Addition of the section on Contact from Prisoners
• CPS Guidelines on Withdrawals and Witness Summons
• Added in reference to updating MARAC when there is a change to individual living within different force area
• Amendments to the Sanctuary Scheme section - inclusion of SBD, Suzy Lamplugh Trust and National Stalking Helpline
• Removal of the Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service reference
• Reference to Operation Encompass added

• End of deployment section (last bit before Checklist: Deployment)

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)

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.

Corrected a broken link

/app/major-investigation-and-public-protection/domestic-abuse/victim-safety-and-support#keeping-the-victim-informed

7 broken links corrected to internal sections of DA APP.

Item 6 changed DASH to DARA

Item 22 on the checklist - amended wording from harassment and stalking to harassment or stalking.

• Middle of introduction paragraph: 

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…

• Under HMIC recommendation 5 section:

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.’ 

• Under terminological note section

Code of Practice for Victims of Crime link updated to 2020 version from 2015 version.

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. 

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:

• On National Domestic Violence Helpline it states (Run by Refuge and Women's Aid). Deleted Women's Aid.
• CPS Domestic Abuse Guidelines - Annex D - National support organisations - changed this to the correct Annex E and updated the link.

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. 

The section under 'Specific management considerations when dealing with police perpetrators of domestic abuse' has been deleted and replaced with new text. These changes were required due to a super-complaint investigation. 

Changes were made to the advice documents:

• Advice for investigators
• Advice to police responders

These changes were the removal of a line about distinguishing harassment from stalking by considering if there is a dispute at the centre of it. Also a change to the wording within the investigators' advice, to state risk assessment and first response, to refer to risk identification.  

Under 'interpreters and registered intermediaries' - replaced the 2015 Code of Practice for Victims with 2020 version. The 2015 version was quoted. This quote does not appear word-for-word in the 2020 version, so an alternative, comparable quote was added instead from p.13 of the document. 

Minor wording change. Welsh forces via the NPCC Lead on Missing Persons raised the need to change a statement about convening a multi-agency strategy meeting for a missing child. Current: Where appropriate, a multi-agency meeting is convened after a child has been missing from home or care for more than seven days, or has been missing on more than three occasions in a 12-month period (this criteria does not apply in England).

Amended: - Where appropriate, a multi-agency strategy meeting is convened to consider the evidence for any additional safeguarding issues.

Removed 'Firearms licensing' from list of 'Thematic areas', as this now sits in its own area of APP (/app/firearms-licensing).

Sub-section 'Sanctuary schemes' - removed the link to the SbD Installation Manual as an urgent request from Mark Dowse, to prevent perpetrators having access to all precautions taken to protect their victims/survivors by the Scheme. Replaced the link to SbD (at the end of the same paragraph)  to the link Mark provided on his most recent contact.

Updated link to NPCC (2023) National Threats to Life Guidelines

Updated link to the February 2024 NPCC Sex Work national police guidance

At the end of the 'Interviews' section – Added link to NPCC (2023) 'Advice to police forces on prevention interviews and independent return interviews'.

Added final paragraphs about detailing information and intelligence, beginning 'When carrying out a risk assessment...', to the section 'Initial questions for the person who has submitted the missing person report'.

Updated broken links to Code of Ethics

Updated text about review to read: 'This guidance is the subject of review through a consultation process. The consultation is expected to begin by 1 April 2024, with revised guidance expected by 1 August 2025'.

Code of Ethics section changed to -

Code of Practice for Ethical Policing 

The Code of Practice for Ethical Policing states that there is a requirement to ensure that staff understand the requirements of, and are supported to implement, the Victims’ Code. This includes consideration of their welfare needs and referral to support services.

Added the following text: 'This Guidance is the subject of review by way of a consultation process, the approximate timetable of which will be to commence the process by 1 April 2024 and to finalise the process and issue any revised Guidance by 1 August 2025.'

'Wanted/missing' section: Removed a sentence ('If a decision is taken to treat...') that is no longer applicable and moved APP on AWOL patients link down to a bullet point under 'For further information see:'. Under this two NPCC documents were added as references including links.

• Throughout the section where 'no apparent risk' (absent) was referred to this was replaced with the current 'very low risk'.
• 'The investigative process' section: added normally to initial sentence.
• 'Responsibilities' section: added 'consider arranging' in relation to TextSafe.
• 'Senior management team' section: Added a sentence about IOPC reports and included a link to this document.
• 'Family support' section: added ' in the early stages of an investigation' and a sentence at the end of this paragraph about protracted investigations.
• 'Search strategy' section: added 'consider seeking' regarding PoISA.
• 'Identification samples' section: table, dental charts removed text and corrected to current practice of hard copy and electronic copy retained by UKMPU.
• 'Management of return' section: added an example to the last bullet.
• 'Prevention interviews' section: added 'prevention' and deleted 'return', added telephone as an option.
• 'Timing of the prevention interview' section: deleted 'in person'.
• 'Frequency of checks' section: Added a sentence at the end about interviewer skills.
• 'Responsibility for independent return interviews' section: Changed the first paragraph, inserted 'independent' before return in the second.
• 'Not found' section: Added three sentences regarding IO's decisions for case remaining active and requiring review.
• 'Long-term cases' section: added 'normally'.

Amendments to page to bring content up-to-date.

• 'Definitions' section: added a paragraph about broadness of the definition; changed 'no apparent risk' to 'very low risk' and added sentences regarding framing of risk of harm; change to diagram to reflect very low risk.
• 'Risk assessment and response' section: change to very low risk; sentences added in high risk on serious crime.
• Missing persons process chart: added introductory sentence explaining purpose of the diagram; diagram changed to reflect wording of risk.
• 'Joint responsibility' section: minor wording change regarding care homes.
• 'Minimum actions' section: explanation added to first bullet about malicious reports; wording change to PNC bullet, minor.
• 'UK Missing persons unit' section: three added sentences.
• 'Services' section: added multiple bullets and deleted bullets.
• 'Referring cases' section: minor wording changes.
• 'Unidentified cases' section: Section with bullets on UKMPU assistance to forces added within this sub-section.
• 'Charities' section: contact info updated including links that required changing.

• 'Gathering information' section: changed a link to minimum actions section of the APP. 
• 'Gathering information and intelligence' section: added a bullet point to the end about suicide ideation or self-harm and added a link to the suicide prevention strategy.
• 'Assessing risk levels and taking action' section: added a line about unconscious bias.

• 'Young people and risky behaviour' section: 'no apparent risk' changed to 'very low'; swapped 'put' for 'find'; added 'be vulnerable specifically when:'; deleted 'engage in further risky behaviours, such as.'
• 'Child Rescue Alert' section: used sentence case for bullets; deleted sentence starting 'The CRA has been expanded...'
• 'Children remanded to local authority accommodation' section: last sentence, changed investigating officer to sentence case.
• 'Out of area placements' section: Added 'may also be' after There and before 'reasons why this is not...'
• 'Missing from hospital emergency departments' section: deleted the sentence commencing 'The police have a duty to...', the paragraph now starts 'The hospital...', deleted 'also' and added 'at their home address' within brackets.
• 'Found remains/people' section: added 'forces' to sentence starting 'where an unidentified body is found...' Removed the sentence 'The UKMPU has developed...' and its associated resources.
• 'BTP' section: Location and return of a missing person: 'or an' inserted in last paragraph.
• 'Migrant children' section: the word 'people' replaced with 'children' in the second sentence, also inserted 'normally'. Added a paragraph after the 2nd, regarding children care facility and age assessment.
• 'Missing persons at large events' section: word 'enable' added, last line before bullets.
• 'The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office' section: For further information see 'International Crime Coordination Centre...' - deleted this and the link to APP on international investigation, replaced with a paragraph on JICC.
• 'Identification process' section: added 'who is a SIM' after senior detective.

• 'Missing persons coordinator role' section: added text to reflect both adult and child care homes.
• 'Assisting investigations' section: added a link to the Coordinator to explain this from College source.
• 'Shared responsibilities' section: inserted words 'matters that are recorded as'.
• 'Multi-agency protocols' section: added new sentence with link to content, removing out of date link.
• 'Referrals to social care' section: Added paragraph; added new link to All Wales Practice Guide
• 'Vulnerable adults' section: removed two out of date links and added new content link to Home Office
• 'Trigger plans' section: removed reference to Philomena protocol
• 'Regulatory bodies' section: added 'or supported accommodation' to Ofsted regulatory duties to inspect.
• 'UKMPU returns' section: removed reference to Code of Practice and the out of date content about statistical bulletins. Added annually to the sharing of reports.
• 'Retention and weeding of reports' section: removed link on retention.

• In 'Risk management plans and interventions' section – Fixed broken link to MAPPA Guidance.
• In 'Constructive interventions' section – Fixed broken link referring to 'approved premises' to go to MAPPA Guidance.
• In 'Factors to be monitored to identify, assess and manage risk' section – Added link to 'Dynamic Supervision Project' research paper.
• In 'Suspect or offender leaving the UK and/or changing their identity' section – Added link to Home Office guidance on identifying British citizens.
• In 'Victims and potential victims' section – Added link to Managing public protection information.
• In 'Reactive management examples' section – Defined PSR and ASSET. 

• In 'Multi-agency approach section – Updated link to MAPPA guidance (GOV.UK).
• In 'Offender types' section – Changed 'Those subject to management under Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003' to appear as a sub-heading.
• In 'Offender management' section – Removed broken link to ViSOR national standards.
• In 'Young offenders' section – Updated broken link for MAPPA guidance for YOTs to the main MAPPA Guidance (GOV.UK).
• In 'Roles and responsibilities' section – Added link to APP on Vetting.
• In 'Training' section – Added link to Child sex offender disclosure scheme on College Learn.

In 'Legal framework' section – Updated broken link to MAPPA guidance.

• In 'Indefinite notification requirements for registered offenders' section – Removed reference and link to 'ACPO Extending the Notification Requirements and the right to a Review of Indefinite Notification Requirements – Sexual Offences Act 2003'.
• In 'Indefinite notification requirements for registered offenders' section – removed broken link to ViSOR standards.
• In 'NCA CEOP Command UK Tracker Team' – updated link to 'Travelling abroad' for UK Tracker Team contact details.
• In 'Referral criteria' section – Fixed broken link to CEOP most wanted website.
• In 'Escorting offenders' section – Removed link to 'Welfare and security'. 

Replaced broken link to Code of Ethics

Under Legislation header – removed 'three' in first line, bullet 3 changed from CJA to Sentencing Act, added bullet 4.

Added diagram to section on 'Reactive management'

Changed link to the updated briefing note, 'Responding to the taking or sharing or nude and semi-nude images by young people' (now in HTML format). 

• Removed section on Risk Matrix 2000 and changed further references to Offender Assessment System (OASys) Sexual reoffending Predictor (OSP).
• Fixed broken link to the APP on Investigating child abuse and safeguarding children.
• Changes to content in section on 'Reactive management examples'.

Text amendments to include latest available detail on specific areas, including:

• reference to Schengen Information System changed to International Law Enforcement Alerts Platform (I-LEAP)
• reference to Risk Matrix changed to Offender Assessment System (OASys) Sexual reoffending Predictor (OSP)
• changes to list of specialised training that MOSOVO officers should complete

Updated HM Prison and Probation Service reference.

Text amendment to introduction and removal of reference to Risk Matrix in referral criteria.

Offender Assessment System (OASys) added to section on Violent and Sex Offender Register (ViSOR) record inspection.

Updated contact number for Medaille Trust.

Change to section on 'Hostility' to include antisemitism.

Updated broken links to Home Office guidance on statutory injunctions to prevent gang-related violence and drug dealing (2016).

Updated broken link to Hydrant Programme Group on Knowledge Hub.

Replaced broken link to the Byford report. 

Broken link to '43 police forces of England and Wales' updated.

Previous MOPI 2005 Code link replaced with link to Police information and records management Code of Practice (2023). 

Replaced link to 2005 MOPI Code of Practice with new link to the 2023 Police information and records management Code of Practice.

3rd bullet point – removed link from the 2012 ACPO guidelines and the reference to College Learn and replaced with 'ACPO (2012) Guidelines on Dealing with Cases of Encouraging or Assisted Suicide – this document has now been superseded. The current guidance can be found in the mental health APP suicide pacts or assisted suicide'.

Changed 'Her Majesty's Passport Office' to 'His Majesty's Passport Office'.

Addition of link to NPCC Family Pack PDF

UKBA reference removed in Domestic abuse > Understanding risk and vulnerability > Risk identification and assessment > Victims from armed services, families and emergency service/public service personnel > 5th paragraph > last sentence

Updated link to Knife crime: a problem-solving guide to the HTML version

Operational guidance replaced with updated version.

Changes to section on 'Perception-based recording' to reflect new Code of Practice for recording non-crime hate incidents.

Changes to reflect new Code of Practice for recording non-crime hate incidents.

Removed the word 'perceived' from the definition of servitude.

Updated broken links to other sections of the Hate crime APP, including Community engagement and tension, Intelligence, Supervision and oversight and Strategic leadership.

Links updated to latest versions of the following PDFs.

• Briefing note – For police first responders to a report of rape or sexual assault
• Annex A – Gathering evidence for rape and sexual offence investigations

Removed reference to Risk Matrix 2000 and added Reactive Management 

Updated link to 'Honour-based abuse advice for first responders' PDF to the updated March 2023 version.

Link removed to UKMPB file 'Identification process – good practice: Procedural'.

Links and dates to the following documents updated to reflect the 2023 version:
1 - HM Government (2014) The Right to Choose: Multi-agency statutory guidance for dealing with forced marriage
2 - HM Government (2014) Multi-agency practice guidelines: Handling Cases of Forced Marriage  

References to MPB amended to UKMPU (UK Missing Persons Unit)

Added links to Voice of the child documents

Sentence added to 'The police role and responsibilities' and 'categories' sections. Paragraph added to 'legal expectations'. Minor changes made to first sentence in 'positive action' section. LSCB changed to MASA. FCO changed to FCDO. Reference removed from 'truanting' section

More reference documents added, removed or updated. Bullet point added to police actions in relation to support for families section. MPB references changed to UKMPU and links updated. Sentence added to medium and low risk missing person subsection of timescales for collecting samples. Legal references added to media strategy section. NPCC lead reference added to  family initiated media campaigns section. Sentence added to confidentiality section and interviews section. Paragraph added to prevention interviews section.

Contact details for UKMPU (formerly MPB) updated and a sentence added about when to consult mental health services added to end of 'minimum actions' section

General updates: reference to Philomena Protocol, references updated, removed or added, CRA updated, contact details updated (UKMPU, FCDO), police duty of care updated (section 'missing from hospital emergency departments'), SISII section removed.

Organisational names updated (for example, LSCB becomes MASA, IPCC becomes IOPC). References made to Philomena Protocol. Reference documents also added or replaced.

Added links to Voice of the child documents

The PCSC Act 2021 introduced new legislation for the management of sex offenders – APP updated accordingly.

Minor changes made (link to College Learn, new bullet point added to initial questions list, 'mental health' added to sentence in' gathering information and intelligence' section, reference to vulnerability-related risks guidelines and sentence added to 'assessing risk levels and taking action' section)

07/02/2023 Links added to Voice of the child documents in the section on Missing children

Broken link to SPO notification requirement form fixed.

Updates to INTERPOL section following MOSOVO updates, including addition of link to the APP on Investigations > International.

Document title changed from 'Guidelines on the Investigation, Cautioning and Charging of Knife Crime Offences' to 'Guidelines on the Cautioning and Charging of Knife Crime Offences'. Link updated to the latest version of the document.

Edited 'Signs of a disturbance' section to include reference to the National Crime Agency's (NCA) Forensic Medical Advice Team, which runs the National Injuries Database.

Reference to document added – College of Policing (2021) Charter for Families Bereaved Through Public Tragedy.

Interim changes in light of the Miller v College of Policing CA case 2021, ahead of a new Home Office code of practice about the recording and retention of personal data relating to non-crime hate incidents.

Interim changes in light of the Miller v College of Policing CA case 2021, ahead of a new Home Office code of practice about the recording and retention of personal data relating to non-crime hate incidents.

Replaced broken link for the NPCC missing persons tasking and transfer request form, under 'Ownership and responsibility for cases'.

Added link to Home Office (2022) Statutory guidance: Offensive Weapons Act 2019, parts 3, 4 and 5.

Updated UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) email address.

New section added – Principles for telephone or video first response to domestic abuse.

Missing Persons Bureau updated to UK Missing Persons Unit across all modules

'Missing Persons Bureau' reference updated to 'UK Missing Persons Unit' across all modules.

Link amended to CSE Action Plan - changed from http to https.

Review of all existing links to the 2011 ABE guidance and update the reference to the new 2022 guidance.

Review of all existing links to the 2011 ABE guidance and update the reference to the new 2022 guidance.

Review of all existing links to the 2011 ABE guidance and update the reference to the new 2022 guidance.

Review of all existing links to the 2011 ABE guidance and update the reference to the new 2022 guidance.

Review of all existing links to the 2011 ABE guidance and update the reference to the new 2022 guidance.

Review of all existing links to the 2011 ABE guidance and update the reference to the new 2022 guidance.

Review of all existing links to the 2011 ABE guidance and update the reference to the new 2022 guidance.

Review of all existing links to the 2011 ABE guidance and update the reference to the new 2022 guidance.

Review of all existing links to the 2011 ABE guidance and update the reference to the new 2022 guidance.

Review of all existing links to the 2011 ABE guidance and update the reference to the new 2022 guidance.

Review of all existing links to the 2011 ABE guidance and update the reference to the new 2022 guidance.

Review of all existing links to the 2011 ABE guidance and update the reference to the new 2022 guidance.

Note added to say that all modules of modern slavery are under review.

Updated section added - Victims with insecure or uncertain immigration status.

Amended out of date reference to risk guideline consultation and amend with link to guidelines.

SPO forms added.

Out of date information on Rape and sexual offences APP amended.

Bullet point added about forthcoming APP Vulnerability to Radicalisation (V2R) .

NPCC definition for prioritisation of online perpetrators who pose a risk of harm to children.

Updated link to THRIVE document from MLE to College learn.

Link to Knife crime - a problem solving guide added.

Investigation sub-heading: below bullets, paragraph commencing 'Domestic abuse investigations may...' One addition, one deletion. Sentence 'Those cases identified as serious and complex investigations...' added, at this point brackets '(for example, CCB and stalking). Deleted the last sentence of this paragraph.

Next paragraph starting 'The investigation' Deleted content of the paragraph and replaced with 'The PIP level 2 course can be accessed by registered users on College Learn.' Added link to log in. 

Paragraph starting 'Domestic abuse specialist officers should maintain...' - last paragraph was divided into two, LSCBs was deleted and the words 'relevant local multi-agency safeguarding arrangements were added.

Link to the Murder Manual replaced with link to the Major Crime Manual.

Wording in section on notifying the British transport police of suicidal missing persons amended.

Major Crime Investigation manual published.

Updated MIRSAP manual published.

Publication of County lines child criminal exploitation.

Replaced paragraph to reflect changes to legislation.

Updated link for Revenge Pornography Guidance.

Updated link for Revenge Pornography Guidance.

Links to BWV guidance and BWV Essex trail 2015 amended after report of broken links.

Updated link for Revenge Pornography Guidance.

Deletion of paragraph: Safeguarding Adults - A National Framework of Standards for good practice and outcomes in adult protection work.

Updated link for Revenge Pornography Guidance.

Family liaison - ACPO (2008) manual removed and replaced with link to Working with Victims and Witnesses.

Link replaced in further information box within Migrant children.

Within the Foreign and Commonwealth section, link added to International investigation.

Updated references to latest Code of Practice for Victims and also changed wording from
'...are entitled to an enhanced service...' to '...have rights to an enhanced service...' in Briefing note for adults at risk: initial response and safeguarding and Briefing note for adults at risk: advice for investigators

College of Policing Briefing note on sexting added - replaces ACPO 2013 document, plus updated link to MAPPA guidance

Added introduction. Change to the order of the documents. Added 'Making Safeguarding Personal: What might ‘good’ look like for the police' document

Error on Safelives link corrected, plus link added to Home Office Guidance

Code of Practice for Victims of Crime link updated to 2020 version. Updated Victim Supportline details added.

Name changed to Adults at risk. Three documents added and one flowchart added

Note added to inform reader of review of the modules needed in line with Code of Practice for Victims of Crime 2020.

Rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) actions guidance document link added.

Others' added to citation in Proposed prohibitions' section. Obtaining a notification order section added. HMPO watch list title put in bold and sentence 'To implement the restrictions, staff should submit a request to HMPO for information/flagging on a DPA section 29(3) form.' removed from this section.

'Other agencies' added and 'their local probatino service' removed from first sentence in 'Monitoring and enforcement of orders' section. 'and disrutive techniques' added to 'Alternative orders' title. @Hospital order and guardianship order' section removed.

'Standards of proof' heading changed to heading 4 type.

'Please Note that all SOPO RSHO & FTO will change to the new orders in March 2020 – legal check required to see if all SOPO change to SHPO and any SOPO that is indefinite beyond notification date then will be revoked' added to 'Transition' section.

Link added from foreign travel restriction section to HMPO watch list

Some parts of the text changed to headings to make it clearer. Link to national ViSOR standards removed from ViSOR sub section. MAPPA structure - added 'a qualifying offender' to 2nd sentence. Added 'Category 2' after MAPPA (1st sentence).

Care Programme Approach' added over CPA hoverbox (C/O by Jo C). MCHS changed to MHCS.

New reference added (Managing the risk of suicide section) - College of Policing (June 2019) Operational Advice Managing the risk of suicide for persons under investigation for online child sexual abuse and exploitation.

Old reference removed - NPCC 2016 Interim Guidance on Suicide Prevention Risk Management – Perpetrators of Child Sexual Exploitation and Indecent Images of Children (IIOC)

Screen reader support enabled.

Link to the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime updated to 2020 version.

Wording of heading changed.

Update to reference material (toolkit for officers combating anti roma and traveller community hate crimes).

Note added to direct reader to updated APP on international investigations in line with the UK leaving the European Union.

Note added to direct reader to updated APP on International investigations in line with the UK leaving the European Union.

Note added to direct reader to updated APP on international investigations ahead of UK leaving EU.

Note added to direct reader to updated APP on international investigations ahead of UK leaving EU.

Reference to local CPS removed.

Updated advice document added for police responders and call handlers.

Link added to 'College of Policing: Principles for the identification, assessment and management of serial or potentially dangerous domestic abuse and stalking perpetrators'.

Practitioner resources added.

Practitioner resources added included call for practice summary.

Update/add reference to CoP (2020) Revenge Porn document.

Update/add reference to CoP (2020) Revenge Porn document.

Update/add reference to CoP (2020) Revenge Porn document.

CPS advice document added.

Added new College document ‘Principles for the management of serial and potentially dangerous perpetrators of domestic abuse and stalking’ to investigators' advice document.

Broken link fixed - http://library.college.police.uk/docs/cps/Early_special_measures_discussions_between_the_police_and_the_CPS.pdf

College ‘Principles for the management of serial and potentially dangerous perpetrators of domestic abuse and stalking’ document added.

Updated SIO advice published.

Removed reference to POLKA.

New Child Rescue Alert guidance added.

New Child Rescue Alert guidance added.

Removal of threshold table and addition of link to SOA 2003 Schedule 3 and 5.

New Child Rescue Alert guidance added.

New Child Rescue Alert guidance added.

New Child Rescue Alert guidance added.

Additional amends in the First Respone and the National Referral Mechanism to reflect the change in process and remove obsolete links to reference material.

Revised wording removing obsolete reference to schedule of release.

New advice on investigating stalking or harrassment for supervisors and managers.

Updated content for the National Referral Mechanism.

Broken link to common law police disclosure scheme.

Updated content for MAPPA and Home Visits.

Replace following reference materials with most up to date ones: Deactivated weapons; Witness issues; firearm related crime scenes; victims of shootings..

Amended content.

NCA Specialist Operations Centre amended to Major Crime Investigative Support throughout.

Amended to reflect Homicide journals and major crime publications with additional contact details added.

Link to HOCR updated.

Revised content for Kidnap and extortion (access via login through College Learn platform).

SPO notification requirement form replaced so that a force badge can be inserted.

Revised content.

Stalking Protection Order Statutory Guidance added.

Revised content.

Revised content.

Updated Stalking Protection Order notification requirement form.

Removal of National Document Fraud Unit contact details.

Update versions of the SPO briefing note, presentation and summons form published.

POLKA links amended to MLE or Knowledge Hub.

New Stalking Protection Orders national forms and advice added.

New advice on investigating stalking or harrassment.

Post mortem guidance documents added.

Broken link for minimum reporting details amended.

New advice on safeguarding children through the use of Child Abduction Warning Notices.

New advice on safeguarding children through the use of Child Abduction Warning Notices.

New advice on safeguarding children through the use of Child Abduction Warning Notices.

Updated version of Parental Child Abduction guidance.

Updated version of Parental Child Aduction guidance.

Paragraph added to technology and social media in relation to replacement phone.

Page title changed from 'Stalking and harassment' to 'Stalking or harassment'.

Links to CPS policy and guidance in relation to abuse against older people.

Working together link updated to 2018 version.

Working together link updated to 2018 version.

CPS links updated.

June 2019 version of Management of suicide operational advice added.

June 2019 version of Management of suicide operational advice added.

Revised poster and Initial response document added address error printed in previous version.

New link added to Practice advice on the medical investigation of suspected homicide.

New advice note – intial response to incidents of stalking and harassment – including briefing powerpoint and posters.

Updated Interpol notices link to European investigation with link to International investigations.

Removed reference to EAW briefing note and NPIA European Investigation Advice.

Added APP international investigations on reference material page.

Change name of module to Sex work and prostitution, plus updated link to new 2019 guidance on policing sex work and prostitution.

Updated reference to DPA 2018.

Updated link to International APP.

New link added to Working Together 2018.

Working together link updated to 2018 version.

Updated link to HMIC 2013 Mistakes were made.

Updated links to PACE Codes.

Include a link to Information sharing protocol.

Update to include Adult Social Care as one of Marac's core agencies.

Additional support agency added - Medaille Trust.

Publication of new briefing advice for first responders.

Publication of new checklist.

Change to wording of ownership and transfer.

New Kidnap and extortion APP uploaded via POLKA.

Amended wording around cautions.

Link to assisted suicide document.

Updated POLKA link to Parental Child Abduction guidance.

Link added to guidance on parental child abduction.

Addition of link to Victim and Witnesses Interview Strategies.

Addition of link to Victim and Witnesses Interview Strategies.

Addition of link to Victim and Witnesses Interview Strategies.

New content.

Leglisation references amended.

Change in wording around child at risk to mirror legislation and avoid confusion.

Change in definition of CSE to match the government definition.

Link added to CPS website covering Post Acquittal meetings.

Additional text added to set context for link to NPCC strategy document on forced marriage, honour based abuse, and female genital mutilation.

Updated link to guidance on sudden death in infancy.

Link added to November 2016 issue of the Homicide Journal.

Amended wording to prevention interviews.

Reference to new SIO advice.

Updated link provided - removal of Rainbow link, replaced with GALOP.

New APP.

Updated reference to legislation.

Vetting level specified at NPPV3 level for all interpreters (excluding telephone interpreting).

May 2016 issue of Homicide Journal added.

Changes to the introduction to address issues relating to genital cosmetic surgery.

Various updates.

Various updates.

Update link to NPCC (2015) SIO Guide – Investigating Deaths and Serious Harm in Healthcare Settings from v10.3 to v10.6.

Addition of links to NABIS reference material.

Addition of link to ISA between NPCC, NOMS and CRCs.

Addition of link to gov.uk page on resources for armed forces domestic abuse.

Addition of landing page signposting to current reference material.

Updates to content and links to reference materials.

Changes made to several pages in response to a law change (the offence of controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family context).

Update to reflect legislative change.

Addition of link to ACPO (2013) National Threats to Life Guidelines.

Addition of link to letter explaining revised definition of "absent".

Various updates.

Various updates.

Various updates.

Various updates.

Text reworded, combined guidance now available as one document (inluding links to reference docs) from Op Hydrant POLKA community.

Addition of link to November 2015 Homicide Journal.

Update a link to 2015 Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.

Update a link to 2015 Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.

Update a link to 2015 Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.

Update a link to 2015 Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.

Update a link to 2015 Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.

Update a link to 2015 Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.

Update a link to 2015 Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.

Update a link to 2015 Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.

Update a link to 2015 Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.

Update a link to 2015 Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.

Update a link to 2015 Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.

Changes to reflect the coming into force of two new provisions brought in by the Serious Crime Act 2015.

Link to HM Government (2008) Information Sharing: Guidance for practitioners and managers replaced with HM Government (2015) Information sharing: Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers.

Link to HM Government (2008) Information Sharing: Guidance for practitioners and managers replaced with HM Government (2015) Information sharing: Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers Link to CPS (2015)

Domestic abuse charging advice sheet added

Link to HM Government (2008) Information Sharing: Guidance for practitioners and managers replaced with HM Government (2015) Information sharing: Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers.


Link to CPS (2015) Domestic abuse charging advice sheet added.

Link to HM Government (2008) Information Sharing: Guidance for practitioners and managers replaced with HM Government (2015) Information sharing: Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers.


Link to CPS (2015) Domestic abuse charging advice sheet added.

Link to HM Government (2008) Information Sharing: Guidance for practitioners and managers replaced with HM Government (2015) Information sharing: Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers.


Link to CPS (2015) Domestic abuse charging advice sheet added.

Addition of a link to ACPO (2011) Threats to Life Policy.

Wording change to reflect new Operation Hydrant community on POLKA.

Update link to 2014 "National Child Sexual Abuse Review Panel Guidelines" to 2015 version.

Addition of a link to The Modern Slavery Act 2015 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2015.

Addition of link to "Children Act 1989: transition to adulthood for care leavers".

Updates to Introduction, Definitions, Modern Slavery Act 2015, Reporting and first contact and National referral mechanism.

Updates to Introduction, Definitions, Modern Slavery Act 2015, Reporting and first contact and National referral mechanism.

Updates to Introduction, Definitions, Modern Slavery Act 2015, Reporting and first contact and National referral mechanism.

Updates to Introduction, Definitions, Modern Slavery Act 2015, Reporting and first contact and National referral mechanism.

Updates to Introduction, Definitions, Modern Slavery Act 2015, Reporting and first contact and National referral mechanism.

1. Removal of link to Home Office (2014) Review of the National Referral Mechanism for victims of human trafficking (further info box at top of page)
2. Addition of links to referral forms

Changes throughout.

References to two further charities/NGOs added.

Addition of link to ACPO/PPO (2014) Memorandum of Understanding between the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Prison and Probation Ombudsman.

Addition of link to Offender Management Briefing Note.

Addition of link to NCA CEOP Victim Identification Guidance.

Link to SIO guide and Work-related deaths protocol added, and information on investigating deaths in prisons.

Addition of landing page and content for Kidnap and extortion.

Addition of links to Home Office documents.

Link to the May 2010 edition of the Journal of Homicide and Major Investigation added.

Updates in respect of the provisions of the Serious Crime Act 2015, and update to section on cosmetic surgery in the introduction as it was felt to be insufficient and potentially misleading.

Addition of link to Media Briefing Note.

Addition of link to Critical incident management APP.

Remove links to toolkits.

Addition of links to
•Police investigators’ tool kit for addressing consent and associated myths in rape cases.
•Tool kit for police supervisors and managers: Addressing consent and associated myths in rape investigations and prosecutions.

Link to 'HM Government (2013) Working Together to Safeguard Children' changed to 'HM Government (2015) Working Together to Safeguard Children'.

Link to HM Government (2013) Working Together to Safeguard Children changed to HM Government (2015) Working Together to Safeguard Children.

Addition of a holding page.

Minor content changes.

Addition of new content on FGM incorporating feedback from consultation.

Addition of information on Operation Hydrant.

Addition of further information links to holding page.

Addition of further information links to holding page.

Addition of a sub-page linking to back editions of Homicide Journal.

Change of name from Human trafficking to Modern slavery and update of landing page text.

Amendment of information on compensation.

Addition of link to CPS (2014) Guidelines on prosecuting cases involving communications sent via social media

Addition of links to ACPO CPAI Lead’s Position on Young People Who Post Self-Taken Indecent Images and CPS (2014) Guidelines on prosecuting cases involving communications sent via social media.

Addition of new information on hotel notices.

Addition of a link to CFOA, ACPO, CPS, HSE (2014) Investigative Guidance: Firefighter Fatality in the Workplace.

Removed content changes made on 3 September 2014 (reverted to previous version). 

Removed content changes made on 3 September 2014 (reverted to previous version). 

Removed content changes made on 3 September 2014 (reverted to previous version). 

Removed content changes made on 3 September 2014 (reverted to previous version). 

Addition of link to ACPO (2013) Practitioners Guidance on Child Rescue Alert.

Content changes.

Content changes.

Content changes.

Content changes.

Addition of new reference material link reflecting legislative changes.

Renamed "Investigating child deaths" to "Unexpected death of a child".

Addition of holding page.

Changing "sudden unexpected deaths in childhood" to "investigating child deaths".

Changing "sudden unexpected deaths in childhood" to "investigating child deaths".

Changing "sudden unexpected deaths in childhood" to "investigating child deaths".

Changing "sudden unexpected deaths in childhood" to "investigating child deaths".

Changing "sudden unexpected deaths in childhood" to "investigating child deaths".

Addition of holding page.

Addition of holding page for Human trafficking.

Addition of holding page.

Addition of holding page.

Addition of holding pages for Major investigation and public protection > Knife crime, pointing to current live content.

Addition of holding pages for Major investigation and public protection > Gangs and youth violence, pointing to current live content.

Addition of holding pages for Major investigation and public protection > Rape and sexual offences, pointing to current live content.

Addition of holding pages for Major investigation and public protection > Domestic abuse, pointing to current live content.

Addition of holding pages for Major investigation and public protection > Homicide, pointing to current live content.

Addition of holding pages for Major investigation and public protection > Managing sexual offenders and violent offenders, pointing to current live content.

Addition of a holding page for Major investigation and public protection > Stalking and harassment, pointing to current live content.

Link to ACPO guidance added.

Links to OCC documents added; word "honeypot" deleted.

Addition of Child sexual exploitation module to Major investigation and public protection.