Category Archives: Police

Spycops Victims Demand Home Office Scrap Consultation

Core Participants in the Undercover Policing Inquiry have today written to the Home Office calling for the immediate withdrawal of its ‘consultation’ on the future of the Inquiry.

They express shock and deep concern at the Government’s proposals to curtail the Inquiry, and the perverse use of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill (the ‘Hillsborough Law’) to justify weakening a statutory public inquiry before the legislation has even been enacted.

Kate Wilson of Police Spies Out of Lives said:

“We were so excited about the progress of the Hillsborough Law, and the promises it makes for survivors of state abuse. But the very next day the Home Office did this.

“It may be no coincidence this consultation was launched in the last days of Starmer’s government: he’s implicated in covering up undercover operations during his time as Director of Public Prosecutions and may have questions to answer himself.

“But we have a new government now, under Andy Burnham. He built his political career on the fight for justice after Hillsborough. Is denying us truth and accountability really going to be one of the first things his government does?”

The letter is accompanied by submissions from Peter Weatherby KC, who acts for a number of the victims and helped draft the Hillsborough Law. He argues the Inquiry’s statutory powers are essential to uncovering the truth, and describes the consultation as ‘misconceived’, joining calls for it to be withdrawn.

Since public hearings began in 2020, the UCPI has exposed serious police abuses – sexual misconduct, criminal behaviour, agents provocateur activity, interference in democratic processes, misleading the courts, unlawful intrusion into the lives of thousands of people, and catastrophic failings that go all the way up the chain of command.

However, some of the most significant evidence is yet to be examined, such as the work of the National Public Order Intelligence Unit (NPOIU), who deployed Mark Kennedy; abuse by undercover officers in criminal investigations (such as the case of ‘Mary’); and failures in the policing of racist criminal gangs.

These, more recent, operations took place under the Human Rights Act and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act—the very legal framework that is supposed to protect the public today. Core Participants say it is essential the Inquiry completes its work in order to make recommendations and prevent future abuse.

Dave Morris of the Campaign Opposing Police Surveillance said:

‘It’s no surprise that the state wants to shut down this Inquiry – it is a disaster for the Metropolitan Police. Just yesterday, ex-Commissioner Baron Condon said in evidence that these were not isolated incidents but a result of systemic failures and a “culture of paranoia” in Special Branch.

The public deserves the full truth, and the Home Office must not bow to vested interests seeking to prevent that.’

The letter calls on the Home Office to withdraw the consultation, appoint new leadership to the Inquiry, ensure adequate resources to complete its work, and urgently meet with Core Participants to discuss ways forward.

Core Participants have been seeking to make recommendations about the Inquiry process since 2019, and have been asking to meet the Home Office since 2024, but have been rebuffed.

Jodie Gibson, Head of the Home Office Sponsorship Unit, told them in an email dated 23 December 2024:

‘It would not be appropriate for officials in the Home Office Sponsorship Unit to meet with you to discuss the functioning of the Inquiry. The Inquiry is operationally independent, and it is really important that we maintain those lines of independence.’

The Core Particpants group is aghast that the Home Office have refused all contact but now, without requesting our input, have published a misconceived, multiple choice ‘consultation’.

The group is asking people not to fill in the consultation, and will publicly oppose any attempt to curtail the Inquiry and will continue campaigning to ensure that the full truth about undercover policing is uncovered.

https://campaignopposingpolicesurveillance.com/2026/07/22/spycops-victims-demand-home-office-scrap-consultation/

 

July 27, 2026

IOPC discussion groups aim to improve police response to VAWG

Domestic abuse support groups and women’s charities are sharing experiences of women and girls who have suffered physical and sexual violence in a series of events aimed at improving the police response to survivors.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is bringing the groups face-to-face with policing leads for violence against women and girls (VAWG) at regional events across England and Wales.

The events follow extensive IOPC engagement with more than 100 VAWG organisations, academics and activists who have disclosed survivors’ experiences of how police have dealt with their cases and any related use of the police complaints system.

IOPC Director and VAWG lead Amanda Rowe, said: “We have listened to stories of those who have been failed by the police or other agencies, and the impact it’s had on survivors.

“Our engagement has revealed key themes, barriers, patterns and trends from across the VAWG sector, plus suggestions for change to the wider police complaints system. We have also heard examples of good practice which are important to share.

“These events encourage the sharing of experiences and learning to help police forces better understand how policies play out in real life. They also give police forces a chance to share any improvements they have made directly with VAWG support services.”

The IOPC’s engagement work with VAWG groups identified recurring themes in police handling of cases involving women and girls with mental health, addiction or other vulnerabilities.

One charity said a big concern was a lack of empathy by police towards women in the street homeless community who had reported a VAWG offence, with unhealthy stereotypes of ‘lifestyle choice’ clouding police judgment.

Many of the groups and individuals said there was need for improved cultural competency in policing to make trauma-informed decisions and interactions, and to avoid victim-blaming language.

“We heard one case,” added Ms Rowe, “where a victim-survivor was asked to provide evidence, and witness names and contact details, three times by the officer in charge of the case. It was distressing and retraumatising to keep repeatedly providing this information.

“But it was also encouraging to hear examples of good practice. One initiative has seen an officer become a single point of contact for a women’s group to improve confidence among service users, listen to concerns or reports, and take action. Another force has created a Women in Policing Association, which supports confidential reporting for women to speak up if they have witnessed or been victim of sexual behaviour in the workplace.

“The discussion groups I took part in were focused on constructive discussion and what third sector groups and the police can do to work more closely together and improve the experience for service users.

“We hope the events and conversations will drive meaningful improvements that reflect the needs of victims and survivors and lead to better, sustained engagement between policing and non-policing VAWG partners.”

The first IOPC VAWG events were held in April for Kent, Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester police force areas. Others will follow later this year in the North East, Midlands, Wales and South East England.

The IOPC is also holding a series of online workshops for complaint handlers in police forces and local policing bodies to share learning on the handling of VAWG issues. The workshops, which complement the engagement events, will convene policing stakeholders to share best practice, encourage peer learning and improve consistency. There are seven online workshops running until July this year.

https://policeprofessional.com/news/iopc-discussion-groups-aim-to-improve-police-response-to-vawg/

 

May 21, 2026

Police warn against use of self swabbing kits – NCVPP & NPCC

‘Self swabbing’ rape and sexual assault kits present significant risk to victims

The National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection (NCVPP) and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) have issued a clear national position statement on the use of ‘self‑swabbing’ kits in unregulated environments following rape, warning that such kits present significant risk to victims, undermine safeguarding, and jeopardise the integrity of evidence.

Developed by the NCVPP, in collaboration with the NPCC Lead for Adult Sexual Offences Chief Constable Sarah Crew, the position statement reflects extensive engagement with forensic experts, investigative leads, victim and survivor specialist organisations and national voluntary sector and charitable organisations. It aligns with the published positions of the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine (FFLM), NHS England, the Association of Forensic Science Providers Body Fluid Forum and Rape Crisis England and Wales.

Self‑swabbing kits, marketed to victims of sexual offences, operate outside regulated clinical or forensic environments, raising serious concerns about contamination, evidential continuity, and the absence of any safeguarding or medical support.

Chief Constable Sarah Crew, NPCC Lead for Adult Sexual Offences, said:

“Self‑swabbing in unregulated environments is not compatible with the victim‑centred, suspect‑focused and context‑led approach that policing has committed to under Operation Soteria. Victims of rape and serious sexual assault deserve immediate access to specialist medical care, safeguarding, psychological support and accredited forensic processes. Asking victims to collect intimate evidence alone, at a moment of crisis, places an unfair burden on them and risks both their wellbeing and the integrity of any investigation. These kits can create false expectations, lead to re‑traumatisation and reduce trust in statutory services.

“Our national policing position is clear: forensic evidence gathered without continuity, control or clinical oversight is at high risk of being challenged in court and may ultimately be unusable. Diverting victims away from Sexual Assault Referral Centres removes critical opportunities for risk assessment, intelligence gathering and holistic care. Our priority is always to put victims’ needs first while relentlessly focusing on identifying, disrupting and prosecuting perpetrators and anything that undermines that risks allowing offenders to continue their behaviour.”

https://news.npcc.police.uk/releases/statement-on-use-of-self-swabbing-after-rape-and-serious-sexual-assault

March 31, 2026

Police warn against use of self swabbing kits – NCVPP & NPCC

‘Self swabbing’ rape and sexual assault kits present significant risk to victims

The National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection (NCVPP) and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) have issued a clear national position statement on the use of ‘self‑swabbing’ kits in unregulated environments following rape, warning that such kits present significant risk to victims, undermine safeguarding, and jeopardise the integrity of evidence.

Developed by the NCVPP, in collaboration with the NPCC Lead for Adult Sexual Offences Chief Constable Sarah Crew, the position statement reflects extensive engagement with forensic experts, investigative leads, victim and survivor specialist organisations and national voluntary sector and charitable organisations. It aligns with the published positions of the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine (FFLM), NHS England, the Association of Forensic Science Providers Body Fluid Forum and Rape Crisis England and Wales.

Self‑swabbing kits, marketed to victims of sexual offences, operate outside regulated clinical or forensic environments, raising serious concerns about contamination, evidential continuity, and the absence of any safeguarding or medical support.

Chief Constable Sarah Crew, NPCC Lead for Adult Sexual Offences, said:

“Self‑swabbing in unregulated environments is not compatible with the victim‑centred, suspect‑focused and context‑led approach that policing has committed to under Operation Soteria. Victims of rape and serious sexual assault deserve immediate access to specialist medical care, safeguarding, psychological support and accredited forensic processes. Asking victims to collect intimate evidence alone, at a moment of crisis, places an unfair burden on them and risks both their wellbeing and the integrity of any investigation. These kits can create false expectations, lead to re‑traumatisation and reduce trust in statutory services.

“Our national policing position is clear: forensic evidence gathered without continuity, control or clinical oversight is at high risk of being challenged in court and may ultimately be unusable. Diverting victims away from Sexual Assault Referral Centres removes critical opportunities for risk assessment, intelligence gathering and holistic care. Our priority is always to put victims’ needs first while relentlessly focusing on identifying, disrupting and prosecuting perpetrators and anything that undermines that risks allowing offenders to continue their behaviour.”

https://news.npcc.police.uk/releases/statement-on-use-of-self-swabbing-after-rape-and-serious-sexual-assault

March 31, 2026

Domestic Abuse Commissioner responds to police reform white paper

On Monday 26 January 2026, the government published its police reform white paper, From local to national: a new model for policing.

Responding to the white paper, Dame Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, said: 

“For too long, domestic abuse perpetrators have been able to enter and remain in our police forces with little to no consequence, breaking down trust with victims who rightly expect a robust response when they report domestic abuse.

“I have long called for the removal of officers with cautions or convictions relating to domestic abuse, and for stronger mandatory vetting standards to stop them joining in the first place. The new powers to tackle misconduct are a welcome and necessary step forward in protecting victims and survivors and rebuilding confidence in the police.

“I’m also pleased to see the introduction of more comprehensive public protection training which includes a focus on domestic abuse. Every 30 seconds the police receive an emergency call about domestic abuse, yet we know too often police forces do not get the basics right when first responding to victims. It’s critical that improvements to the frontline response from police officers, including their core skills, are looked at in the round and developed in partnership with survivors and the specialist domestic abuse sector.

“These reforms must be implemented without delay. I look forward to working with government and policing leaders to ensure these changes root out abusers from within their ranks and create a system which works for victims and survivors.”

Notes: 

  • Details of the government white paper can be found here.
  • Domestic abuse accounted for one third of violent crimes in the 12 months to 30 June 2025. (ONS)
  • Police forces allegations of police-perpetrated domestic abuse (PPDA) over the 12 months to 31 March 2024 showed:
    • 1,294 allegations of PPDA; relating to
    • 899 individuals within the police workforce (0.4% of workforce including all officers, staff, PCSOs and Specials).
    • The vast majority of allegations resulted in ‘No case to answer’, ‘Suspension’ and ‘Learning outcomes’, and only 4% of individuals who had allegations of PPDA made against them were dismissed. (Shifting the Scales)

https://domesticabusecommissioner.uk/domestic-abuse-commissioner-responds-to-police-reform-white-paper/

February 17, 2026