US EditionPolice ordered to consider revealing ethnicity of suspects
New interim guidance aims to improve transparency by allowing police to disclose suspect ethnicity and nationality in high-profile cases to combat misinformation, says the National Police Chiefs' Council.
- The National Police Chiefs' Council and College of Policing issued interim guidance on 2025-08-13 requiring forces to disclose suspects' ethnicity and nationality when charged in high-profile cases with a policing purpose.
- This guidance follows public concern and misinformation from recent incidents like the 2024 Southport murders and protests after two Afghan asylum seekers were charged over a rape in Warwickshire.
- A senior police communications leader highlighted the importance of updating law enforcement procedures to keep pace with the rapid spread of information on social media, aiming to reduce the risk of harmful misinformation affecting public safety.
- The guidance allows disclosure only with a policing reason such as reducing public safety risks, countering misinformation, or serving significant public interest, while immigration status verification remains the Home Office's duty.
- Authorities expect the guidance to improve transparency and public trust, with the College of Policing planning a broader media relations review and public consultation later this year.
41 Articles
41 Articles
PSNI issue statement on new guidance to disclose suspects ethnicity in high profile cases
New interim guidelines have been released from the College of Policing and National Police Chiefs' Council encouraging forces to disclose the ethnicity and nationality of suspects when they are charged in high-profile or sensitive cases.
Labour wants to be the party of internal security. Interior Minister Cooper announces new search methods. The ethnic origin of suspects is also to be published more often in the future.
UK Police Told to Reveal Ethnicity of Suspects in High-Profile Cases
Police in England and Wales are being encouraged to cite the ethnicity of suspects in high-profile cases. The official guidance follows a series of incidents dating back to riots in the summer of 2024 after three children in Southport were murdered by a Wales-born teenager, Axel Rudakubana. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) stated on Aug. 13, “Police forces should consider disclosing the ethnicity and nationality of suspects when they a…
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