Police in England and Wales will now be encouraged to disclose the ethnicity and nationality of suspects charged in high-profile or sensitive cases, in a move aimed at tackling misinformation and restoring public trust.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) says the policy change comes in response to public concern and the “real-world consequences” of false information spreading rapidly online, particularly during major incidents.
Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson welcomed the move, saying the government would expect police to release these details “in most cases”. The Home Office described the step as a “positive move towards transparency and consistency”.
Why Now?
The guidance follows a string of high-profile cases, including the recent charging of two Afghan asylum seekers over the alleged rape of a 12-year-old in Warwickshire, where rumours and speculation quickly spread before verified details were made public.
In another case, Merseyside Police quickly confirmed that the man arrested after a car drove into crowds during Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade was white and British, quashing false claims of a terrorist attack.
But in the Southport triple child murder case, police withheld information about killer Axel Rudakubana, which allowed misleading claims to circulate. That misinformation is believed to have fuelled riots in England and Northern Ireland between 30 July and 5 August 2024.
Consistency Over Secrecy
Under the new guidance, which takes effect immediately, forces will be reminded that verifying immigration status is not their responsibility, but they can request confirmation from the Home Office where appropriate.
The NPCC insists decisions will still be taken on a case-by-case basis, considering legal and ethical factors. However, the new approach aims to ensure a more uniform national policy and to stop different police forces from taking wildly different approaches in similar cases.
Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya, NPCC lead for communications, said:
“We must make sure our processes are fit for purpose in an age of social media speculation. Being as fair, consistent, and transparent as we can will improve confidence in policing.”
Chief Constable Sir Andy Marsh, head of the College of Policing, added that the policy means “information can be released for all ethnicities and nationalities when it meets the right criteria”.
Not Without Risks
Former senior policing figures have warned of potential “unintended consequences”, saying there may be public pressure to release these details in every case, even when it is not appropriate.
They argue that officers risk criticism both for releasing and for withholding such information, creating a challenging balancing act.
The guidance was developed with input from the Crown Prosecution Service, the Home Office, and the College of Policing, which will update its full professional practice later this year.
Government Backing
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has previously called for greater transparency on suspect backgrounds. The Home Office says it will support the release of immigration details in future cases, where appropriate, and has asked the Law Commission to speed up its review into contempt laws, to clarify what can be said publicly before a trial.
The NPCC says the change is about keeping the public informed, countering harmful rumours, and ensuring the information police release is fit for purpose in an era where false claims can go viral within minutes.
