Tag: Policing Strategy

Coronavirus Act 2020

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The Coronavirus Bill received Royal Assent on 25 March 2020 and is now known as the Coronavirus Act 2020. It is an Act to make provision in connection with coronavirus and fr connected purposes.

A large proportion of the Act relates to the NHS and social care, however, there are parts of the Act affecting police powers. For instance, the length of time that DNA profiles and fingerprints can be retained has been extended by six months and it is now an offence to fail to comply with new measures brought in by the Act such as travel restrictions. Additionally, the Act delays the Police and Crime Commissioner elections by one year.

The Act can be read in full here. The Explanatory Notes can be found here.

Source: legislation.gov.uk

COVID-19: guidance for employers and businesses

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On 25 February 2019, the Home Office released guidance for employers and businesses with regards to COVID-19. The guidance is to assist employers in providing advice to staff on COVID-19 including the prevention of spreading of the infection as well as what to do if someone is suspected or confirmed with COVID-19 in a workplace.

The guidance can be read in full here.

Source: Gov.uk

Artificial Intelligence and Public Standards A Review by the Committee on Standards in Public Life

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A report has been published which presents the findings of a review of public standards around the use of Artificial Intelligence. The review was undertaken by the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

The report contains a number of recommendations for government, national bodies and regulators.

The report can be read in full here.

Source: Gov.uk

The Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020

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The Secretary of State has announced new regulations to protect the public from further transmission of the novel Coronavirus. The regulations provide for a police constable to detain an individual and enforce restrictions as required where they have reasonable ground to believe an individual is, or may be infected and is posing a risk to others.

The Health Protection Regulations can be read in full here.

Source: Gov.uk

Stalking Protection Act 2019

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The Stalking Protection Act 2019 comes into force today (20/01). The Act introduces Stalking Protection Orders which are civil orders that can be imposed by a court. Breaking a Stalking Protection Order is a criminal offence.

The Home Office has published statutory guidance for the police to accompany the Act. The guidance is designed to assist police officers when assessing whether to apply for a Stalking Protection Order as well as how to use the Orders effectively.

The guidance applies to England and Wales and can be read in full here.

The Act can be read in full here.

Source: Gov.uk

Article on the use of RUI and bail

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The BBC has published an article with figures from 20 police forces in England and Wales on the use of bail and released under investigation (RUI). The article was published alongside a report on BBC Newsnight.

The figures show that there were 322,250 RUI cases between April 2017 and October 2019. Of this number, 93,098 were related to serious violence against a person and sexual offences cases.

The article can be read in full here.

Source: BBC News

Consultation on strengthening police powers to tackle unauthorised encampments

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The Home Office has begun a consultation regarding measures to criminalise the act of trespassing when setting up an unauthorised encampment in England and Wales.

The consultation is also asking for views on alternative approaches which include amending current powers under sections 61 and 62A of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

The consultation closes on 4 March 2020 and can be read in full here.

Source: Gov.uk