Written questions by Toale.

How police forces will be held accountable for improving response times, investigations and conviction rates following the introduction of new measures under the Crime and Policing Bill.

Police forces will be held accountable for improving response times and investigative outcomes through the new Police Performance System, which will provide a single, consistent picture of police performance across all forces, enable earlier identification of problems and provide targeted support to deliver better service for the public.As set out in the Police Reform White Paper, we have committed to introducing clear national targets on response times. The Police Performance System will enable consistent assessment of contact and response, using nationally comparable data. This will strengthen the scrutiny of underperforming forces, enabling earlier and robust intervention, including performance improvement plans where necessary and statutory intervention powers.

What steps the government is taking to ensure that victims of commercial crime receive timely updates on the progress of investigations.

The Government recognises the wide-reaching impact of commercial burglary, including the profound impact these crimes can have on business owners, retail workers and the wider community.The offences for non-residential burglaries such as business and commercial burglary across England and Wales decreased by 13% in the year to September 2025 compared with the previous year.The table below shows the proportion of non-residential (commercial) burglaries reported to police in England resulted in a charge or summons in the last three years:Police recorded offences, burglary - business and community, EnglandYear to Sep 2023 (as first published in Jan 2024) [Note 1]Year to Sep 2024 (as first published in Jan 2025)Year to Sep 2025 (as first published in Jan 2026)Burglary - business and community Offences Recorded 80,524 79,661 68,863 Volume of charged/summoned 5,785 6,544 6,093 Charged/summoned rate for offences recorded7.2%8.2%8.8% Note 1: Figures for year ending Sep 2023 exclude Devon and Cornwall The Government is determined that robust action should be taken to prevent commercial burglaries from happening and ensure swift justice for perpetrators.We are doing this by focusing our efforts on delivering our ambitious police reform agenda, the central aim of which is to protect and revitalise neighbourhood policing. We are lifting national responsibilities off local forces, so they focus on tackling local issues, like tackling commercial burglary. In addition, the Government has already taken steps to boost the neighbourhood policing response, ensuring that every neighbourhood has named, contactable officers and more visible patrols, with over 3,000 additional police officers and police community support officers put into neighbourhood roles in less than a year.Through the Crime and Policing Bill we are giving police the powers they need, including to enter and search premises where stolen items are reasonably believed to have been stolen and located, and where it is not reasonably practicable to obtain a court warrant. This will significantly enhance the ability of the police to act swiftly and effectively in recovering stolen property.Guidance for the police, including authorised professional practice guidance, is a matter for the College of Policing. The National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) works closely with businesses, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to prevent and reduce the impact of business crime in the UK. National Police Chief Council leads for business crime work closely with the NBCC to support the policing response to business crime, including on improved outcomes.

What guidance is provided to police forces on response times and follow-up for non-residential burglaries.

The Government recognises the wide-reaching impact of commercial burglary, including the profound impact these crimes can have on business owners, retail workers and the wider community.The offences for non-residential burglaries such as business and commercial burglary across England and Wales decreased by 13% in the year to September 2025 compared with the previous year.The table below shows the proportion of non-residential (commercial) burglaries reported to police in England resulted in a charge or summons in the last three years:Police recorded offences, burglary - business and community, EnglandYear to Sep 2023 (as first published in Jan 2024) [Note 1]Year to Sep 2024 (as first published in Jan 2025)Year to Sep 2025 (as first published in Jan 2026)Burglary - business and community Offences Recorded 80,524 79,661 68,863 Volume of charged/summoned 5,785 6,544 6,093 Charged/summoned rate for offences recorded7.2%8.2%8.8% Note 1: Figures for year ending Sep 2023 exclude Devon and Cornwall The Government is determined that robust action should be taken to prevent commercial burglaries from happening and ensure swift justice for perpetrators.We are doing this by focusing our efforts on delivering our ambitious police reform agenda, the central aim of which is to protect and revitalise neighbourhood policing. We are lifting national responsibilities off local forces, so they focus on tackling local issues, like tackling commercial burglary. In addition, the Government has already taken steps to boost the neighbourhood policing response, ensuring that every neighbourhood has named, contactable officers and more visible patrols, with over 3,000 additional police officers and police community support officers put into neighbourhood roles in less than a year.Through the Crime and Policing Bill we are giving police the powers they need, including to enter and search premises where stolen items are reasonably believed to have been stolen and located, and where it is not reasonably practicable to obtain a court warrant. This will significantly enhance the ability of the police to act swiftly and effectively in recovering stolen property.Guidance for the police, including authorised professional practice guidance, is a matter for the College of Policing. The National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) works closely with businesses, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to prevent and reduce the impact of business crime in the UK. National Police Chief Council leads for business crime work closely with the NBCC to support the policing response to business crime, including on improved outcomes.

What proportion of non-residential (commercial) burglaries reported to police in England resulted in a charge or summons in the last three years, and what steps are being taken to increase these outcomes.

The Government recognises the wide-reaching impact of commercial burglary, including the profound impact these crimes can have on business owners, retail workers and the wider community.The offences for non-residential burglaries such as business and commercial burglary across England and Wales decreased by 13% in the year to September 2025 compared with the previous year.The table below shows the proportion of non-residential (commercial) burglaries reported to police in England resulted in a charge or summons in the last three years:Police recorded offences, burglary - business and community, EnglandYear to Sep 2023 (as first published in Jan 2024) [Note 1]Year to Sep 2024 (as first published in Jan 2025)Year to Sep 2025 (as first published in Jan 2026)Burglary - business and community Offences Recorded 80,524 79,661 68,863 Volume of charged/summoned 5,785 6,544 6,093 Charged/summoned rate for offences recorded7.2%8.2%8.8% Note 1: Figures for year ending Sep 2023 exclude Devon and Cornwall The Government is determined that robust action should be taken to prevent commercial burglaries from happening and ensure swift justice for perpetrators.We are doing this by focusing our efforts on delivering our ambitious police reform agenda, the central aim of which is to protect and revitalise neighbourhood policing. We are lifting national responsibilities off local forces, so they focus on tackling local issues, like tackling commercial burglary. In addition, the Government has already taken steps to boost the neighbourhood policing response, ensuring that every neighbourhood has named, contactable officers and more visible patrols, with over 3,000 additional police officers and police community support officers put into neighbourhood roles in less than a year.Through the Crime and Policing Bill we are giving police the powers they need, including to enter and search premises where stolen items are reasonably believed to have been stolen and located, and where it is not reasonably practicable to obtain a court warrant. This will significantly enhance the ability of the police to act swiftly and effectively in recovering stolen property.Guidance for the police, including authorised professional practice guidance, is a matter for the College of Policing. The National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) works closely with businesses, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to prevent and reduce the impact of business crime in the UK. National Police Chief Council leads for business crime work closely with the NBCC to support the policing response to business crime, including on improved outcomes.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of powers planned in the Crime and Policing Bill on (a) levels of detection and (b) prosecution rates for commercial burglaries.

The Government recognises the wide-reaching impact of commercial burglary, including the profound impact these crimes can have on business owners, retail workers and the wider community.The offences for non-residential burglaries such as business and commercial burglary across England and Wales decreased by 13% in the year to September 2025 compared with the previous year.The table below shows the proportion of non-residential (commercial) burglaries reported to police in England resulted in a charge or summons in the last three years:Police recorded offences, burglary - business and community, EnglandYear to Sep 2023 (as first published in Jan 2024) [Note 1]Year to Sep 2024 (as first published in Jan 2025)Year to Sep 2025 (as first published in Jan 2026)Burglary - business and community Offences Recorded 80,524 79,661 68,863 Volume of charged/summoned 5,785 6,544 6,093 Charged/summoned rate for offences recorded7.2%8.2%8.8% Note 1: Figures for year ending Sep 2023 exclude Devon and Cornwall The Government is determined that robust action should be taken to prevent commercial burglaries from happening and ensure swift justice for perpetrators.We are doing this by focusing our efforts on delivering our ambitious police reform agenda, the central aim of which is to protect and revitalise neighbourhood policing. We are lifting national responsibilities off local forces, so they focus on tackling local issues, like tackling commercial burglary. In addition, the Government has already taken steps to boost the neighbourhood policing response, ensuring that every neighbourhood has named, contactable officers and more visible patrols, with over 3,000 additional police officers and police community support officers put into neighbourhood roles in less than a year.Through the Crime and Policing Bill we are giving police the powers they need, including to enter and search premises where stolen items are reasonably believed to have been stolen and located, and where it is not reasonably practicable to obtain a court warrant. This will significantly enhance the ability of the police to act swiftly and effectively in recovering stolen property.Guidance for the police, including authorised professional practice guidance, is a matter for the College of Policing. The National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) works closely with businesses, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to prevent and reduce the impact of business crime in the UK. National Police Chief Council leads for business crime work closely with the NBCC to support the policing response to business crime, including on improved outcomes.

What assessment has been made of the potential impact of the Crime and Policing Bill on small businesses, including sole traders, in relation to crime prevention and victim support.

The Government published a number of impact assessments and economic notes upon the introduction of the Bill, which can be accessed here: Crime and Policing Bill 2025: impact assessments - GOV.UK and here: Crime and Policing Bill 2025: economic notes - GOV.UK.We will publish further impact assessments after the Bill receives Royal Assent.

What impact assessment has been undertaken on how potential new powers introduced through the Crime and Policing Bill will affect high streets, markets, and independent traders.

The Government published a number of impact assessments and economic notes upon the introduction of the Bill, which can be accessed here: Crime and Policing Bill 2025: impact assessments - GOV.UK and here: Crime and Policing Bill 2025: economic notes - GOV.UK.We will publish further impact assessments after the Bill receives Royal Assent.

What measures are being taken to improve detection and prosecution rates for shoplifting offences.

Through our Crime and Policing Bill, this Government has introduced a new specific standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker to help tackle the epidemic of shop theft and violence towards shop workers that we have seen in recent years and protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.This bespoke offence will send a clear signal to perpetrators that assaults on retail workers are unacceptable and won’t go unpunished. It will also ensure that assaults on retail workers are separately recorded so that we know the true scale of the problem, enabling the police to respond accordingly.The Government is also supporting the ‘Tackling Retail Crime Together Strategy’, which was jointly developed by the police and industry, providing a collaborative and evidence-based approach in preventing and detecting retail crime.We are providing £7 million over a three‑year period covering 2025 to 2028, to tackle retail crime, including continuing to fund a specialist policing team – in partnership with the retail sector - to better understand the tactics used by organised retail crime gangs and identify more offenders.Additionally, we are removing the legislation which makes shop theft of and below £200 a summary-only offence, sending a clear message that any level of shop theft is illegal and will be taken seriously.

What assessment has been made of the potential impact of the new offence of assaulting a shop worker on levels of retail crime.

Through our Crime and Policing Bill, this Government has introduced a new specific standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker to help tackle the epidemic of shop theft and violence towards shop workers that we have seen in recent years and protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.This bespoke offence will send a clear signal to perpetrators that assaults on retail workers are unacceptable and won’t go unpunished. It will also ensure that assaults on retail workers are separately recorded so that we know the true scale of the problem, enabling the police to respond accordingly.The Government is also supporting the ‘Tackling Retail Crime Together Strategy’, which was jointly developed by the police and industry, providing a collaborative and evidence-based approach in preventing and detecting retail crime.We are providing £7 million over a three‑year period covering 2025 to 2028, to tackle retail crime, including continuing to fund a specialist policing team – in partnership with the retail sector - to better understand the tactics used by organised retail crime gangs and identify more offenders.Additionally, we are removing the legislation which makes shop theft of and below £200 a summary-only offence, sending a clear message that any level of shop theft is illegal and will be taken seriously.

What steps her Department is taking to help tackle regional inconsistencies in support services for child criminal exploitation.

Children and young people, particularly those exploited by county lines gangs, are often used to carry out criminal activity. That is why the Government is introducing a new offence of child criminal exploitation and new civil preventative orders to target those responsible for criminally exploiting children and to help ensure that children are identified as victims and receive the support and protection they need. Where a victim of child criminal exploitation also meets the definition of a victim of modern slavery, they may retain access to the statutory defence contained in section 45 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Impact assessments for the Crime and Policing Bill are published on gov.uk here Crime and Policing Bill 2025: impact assessments - GOV.UK.Through the Government’s County Lines Programme, we are targeting violent and exploitative drug dealing gangs to pursue violent line holders and safeguard vulnerable individuals, including women and girls. Through the Programme, we are funding Catch22’s specialist support service for victims of county lines exploitation. The service includes dedicated support for women and girls exploited through county lines to help prevent exploitation or support their safe exit. It also conducts targeted awareness raising and training to professionals on the needs and experiences of young women and girls involved in county lines.We are working across Government to drive a coordinated response to tackling the criminal exploitation of children. We will issue statutory guidance to police alongside non-statutory guidance for practitioners to support implementation of the new offences and improve identification of victims of child criminal exploitation. Our statutory and non-statutory guidance will highlight the importance of multi-agency working to support children and raise awareness and understanding of child criminal exploitation with all practitioners.The Government-funded Independent Child Trafficking Guardianship (ICTG) service provides advocacy and support to child victims of exploitation and trafficking who have been referred to the National Referral Mechanism. In September 2025, we launched the invitation-to-tender for the national contract, which will expand the service coverage from the current two-thirds of local authorities in England and Wales, to provide support to all child victims referred into the NRM in England and Wales.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of abolishing Police and Crime Commissioners on the provision of local victim support services.

We recognise the important work Police and Crime Commissioners do to commission vital support services for victims and witnesses of crime locally. We are working closely with the Ministry of Justice to establish how their existing victims’ responsibilities will operate within the new police governance system. Ensuring continuity of support for victims in the future arrangements is a key priority of our design work.We have established transition working groups to refine the design and implementation of the future governance arrangements. One of these is specifically focused on partnerships and commissioning, including victims’ responsibilities.

What steps she is taking to help improve cross-departmental coordination on child criminal exploitation.

Children and young people, particularly those exploited by county lines gangs, are often used to carry out criminal activity. That is why the Government is introducing a new offence of child criminal exploitation and new civil preventative orders to target those responsible for criminally exploiting children and to help ensure that children are identified as victims and receive the support and protection they need. Where a victim of child criminal exploitation also meets the definition of a victim of modern slavery, they may retain access to the statutory defence contained in section 45 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Impact assessments for the Crime and Policing Bill are published on gov.uk here Crime and Policing Bill 2025: impact assessments - GOV.UK.Through the Government’s County Lines Programme, we are targeting violent and exploitative drug dealing gangs to pursue violent line holders and safeguard vulnerable individuals, including women and girls. Through the Programme, we are funding Catch22’s specialist support service for victims of county lines exploitation. The service includes dedicated support for women and girls exploited through county lines to help prevent exploitation or support their safe exit. It also conducts targeted awareness raising and training to professionals on the needs and experiences of young women and girls involved in county lines.We are working across Government to drive a coordinated response to tackling the criminal exploitation of children. We will issue statutory guidance to police alongside non-statutory guidance for practitioners to support implementation of the new offences and improve identification of victims of child criminal exploitation. Our statutory and non-statutory guidance will highlight the importance of multi-agency working to support children and raise awareness and understanding of child criminal exploitation with all practitioners.The Government-funded Independent Child Trafficking Guardianship (ICTG) service provides advocacy and support to child victims of exploitation and trafficking who have been referred to the National Referral Mechanism. In September 2025, we launched the invitation-to-tender for the national contract, which will expand the service coverage from the current two-thirds of local authorities in England and Wales, to provide support to all child victims referred into the NRM in England and Wales.

What steps her Department is taking to help ensure that national strategies on child criminal exploitation include gender-specific approaches for girls and young women.

Children and young people, particularly those exploited by county lines gangs, are often used to carry out criminal activity. That is why the Government is introducing a new offence of child criminal exploitation and new civil preventative orders to target those responsible for criminally exploiting children and to help ensure that children are identified as victims and receive the support and protection they need. Where a victim of child criminal exploitation also meets the definition of a victim of modern slavery, they may retain access to the statutory defence contained in section 45 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Impact assessments for the Crime and Policing Bill are published on gov.uk here Crime and Policing Bill 2025: impact assessments - GOV.UK.Through the Government’s County Lines Programme, we are targeting violent and exploitative drug dealing gangs to pursue violent line holders and safeguard vulnerable individuals, including women and girls. Through the Programme, we are funding Catch22’s specialist support service for victims of county lines exploitation. The service includes dedicated support for women and girls exploited through county lines to help prevent exploitation or support their safe exit. It also conducts targeted awareness raising and training to professionals on the needs and experiences of young women and girls involved in county lines.We are working across Government to drive a coordinated response to tackling the criminal exploitation of children. We will issue statutory guidance to police alongside non-statutory guidance for practitioners to support implementation of the new offences and improve identification of victims of child criminal exploitation. Our statutory and non-statutory guidance will highlight the importance of multi-agency working to support children and raise awareness and understanding of child criminal exploitation with all practitioners.The Government-funded Independent Child Trafficking Guardianship (ICTG) service provides advocacy and support to child victims of exploitation and trafficking who have been referred to the National Referral Mechanism. In September 2025, we launched the invitation-to-tender for the national contract, which will expand the service coverage from the current two-thirds of local authorities in England and Wales, to provide support to all child victims referred into the NRM in England and Wales.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Crime and Policing Bill on the criminalisation of children who are victims of exploitation.

Children and young people, particularly those exploited by county lines gangs, are often used to carry out criminal activity. That is why the Government is introducing a new offence of child criminal exploitation and new civil preventative orders to target those responsible for criminally exploiting children and to help ensure that children are identified as victims and receive the support and protection they need. Where a victim of child criminal exploitation also meets the definition of a victim of modern slavery, they may retain access to the statutory defence contained in section 45 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Impact assessments for the Crime and Policing Bill are published on gov.uk here Crime and Policing Bill 2025: impact assessments - GOV.UK.Through the Government’s County Lines Programme, we are targeting violent and exploitative drug dealing gangs to pursue violent line holders and safeguard vulnerable individuals, including women and girls. Through the Programme, we are funding Catch22’s specialist support service for victims of county lines exploitation. The service includes dedicated support for women and girls exploited through county lines to help prevent exploitation or support their safe exit. It also conducts targeted awareness raising and training to professionals on the needs and experiences of young women and girls involved in county lines.We are working across Government to drive a coordinated response to tackling the criminal exploitation of children. We will issue statutory guidance to police alongside non-statutory guidance for practitioners to support implementation of the new offences and improve identification of victims of child criminal exploitation. Our statutory and non-statutory guidance will highlight the importance of multi-agency working to support children and raise awareness and understanding of child criminal exploitation with all practitioners.The Government-funded Independent Child Trafficking Guardianship (ICTG) service provides advocacy and support to child victims of exploitation and trafficking who have been referred to the National Referral Mechanism. In September 2025, we launched the invitation-to-tender for the national contract, which will expand the service coverage from the current two-thirds of local authorities in England and Wales, to provide support to all child victims referred into the NRM in England and Wales.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of protective security measures for (a) churches and (b) other places of worship which have experienced (i) vandalism and (ii) intimidation.

This Government is committed to protecting the right of individuals to freely practise their religion at their chosen place of worship, and to making our streets and communities safer.The Home Office continues to assess and respond to the security needs of places of worship through our protective security schemes for faith communities.In 2025/26, up to £70.9 million is available to protect faith communities. This includes £18 million through the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant, £29.4 million through the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme and for security at Muslim faith schools, and £3.5 million for the places of worship and associated faith community centres of all other faiths.Up to £10 million of additional emergency funding has also been made available for protective security for both Jewish and Muslim communities to further strengthen security measures at their places of worship and other community sites.The Government remains in close contact with law enforcement partners to ensure that protective security measures remain effective and responsive to emerging threats.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that (a) Christian, (b) Muslim, (c) Jewish and (d) other faith communities are able to access timely security support in instances where they are targeted by extremist or far-right activity.

In 2025/26, up to £70.9 million is available to protect faith communities. This includes £18 million through the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant, £29.4 million through the Protective Security for Mosques scheme and for security at Muslim faith schools, and £3.5 million for the places of worship and associated faith community centres of all other faiths. In addition, up to £10 million of emergency funding has been made available for both Jewish and Muslim communities each to further strengthen security measures at their places of worship and other community sites.In response to public disorder in August 2024, the Home Office introduced a rapid protective security response process as a temporary measure for places of worship at risk of imminent violent disorder or in the immediate aftermath of such an incident. We provided security to over 700 places of worship during this period.This Government is committed to protecting the right of individuals to freely practise their religion at their chosen place of worship, and to making our streets and communities safer.

What steps her Department is taking to support (a) police forces and (b) councils in responding to hate-motivated vandalism of places of worship.

The Government is determined to tackle all forms of hate crime wherever in the country it occurs, and whoever is responsible for committing it. We are actively seeking to ensure the safety and protection of all individuals and communities across England and Wales.In 2025/26, up to £70.9 million is available to protect faith communities. This includes £18 million through the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant, £29.4 million through the Protective Security for Mosques scheme and for security at Muslim faith schools, and £3.5 million for the places of worship and associated faith community centres of all other faiths. In addition, up to £10 million of emergency funding has been made available for both Jewish and Muslim communities each to further strengthen security measures at their places of worship and other community sites.

How many offenders convicted of sexual offences did not have a custody photograph on police record in each of the last five years.

Voluntary interviews are used to question a person who is not under arrest about their suspected involvement in a criminal offence, particularly in cases where the legal threshold for arrest is not met. The decision to voluntarily interview a suspect rests with the police and there are a number of factors which must be considered when making this decision including the needs of the investigation, the necessity to arrest, potential vulnerability of the suspect, and any relevant risk factors. Where the statutory conditions for arrest are met, police should always consider whether voluntary interview or arrest would be the most appropriate approach.The Home Office is aware of concerns raised about the use of voluntary attendance and the impact of this on the taking and retention of custody photographs and biometrics. Work is underway to ensure voluntary attendance is used appropriately by the police, especially in relation to sexual offences and options are being considered to increase capture of custody images and biometrics in future.It is important to note that nothing in law or in the relevant statutory codes of practice prevents police from photographing suspects who attend for a voluntary interview, although force may not be used to achieve this while the suspect is not under arrest. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) provides guidance to forces on voluntary interviews which makes clear that it is good practice to photograph suspects attending voluntarily, not least because the photograph may be required for further confirmation of identity if the suspect is subsequently required to return to the police station for biometric samples (fingerprints and DNA), to be recorded after charge or conviction.The Home Office collects and publishes data on police custody and voluntary interviews as part of the ‘Police Powers and Procedures’ statistical series, available here: Police powers and procedures England and Wales statistics - GOV.UK However this data set does not include statistics on the number of suspects whose photographs are taken in custody.

How many people have been (a) charged and (b) convicted without a custody photograph being taken in each of the last five years.

Voluntary interviews are used to question a person who is not under arrest about their suspected involvement in a criminal offence, particularly in cases where the legal threshold for arrest is not met. The decision to voluntarily interview a suspect rests with the police and there are a number of factors which must be considered when making this decision including the needs of the investigation, the necessity to arrest, potential vulnerability of the suspect, and any relevant risk factors. Where the statutory conditions for arrest are met, police should always consider whether voluntary interview or arrest would be the most appropriate approach.The Home Office is aware of concerns raised about the use of voluntary attendance and the impact of this on the taking and retention of custody photographs and biometrics. Work is underway to ensure voluntary attendance is used appropriately by the police, especially in relation to sexual offences and options are being considered to increase capture of custody images and biometrics in future.It is important to note that nothing in law or in the relevant statutory codes of practice prevents police from photographing suspects who attend for a voluntary interview, although force may not be used to achieve this while the suspect is not under arrest. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) provides guidance to forces on voluntary interviews which makes clear that it is good practice to photograph suspects attending voluntarily, not least because the photograph may be required for further confirmation of identity if the suspect is subsequently required to return to the police station for biometric samples (fingerprints and DNA), to be recorded after charge or conviction.The Home Office collects and publishes data on police custody and voluntary interviews as part of the ‘Police Powers and Procedures’ statistical series, available here: Police powers and procedures England and Wales statistics - GOV.UK However this data set does not include statistics on the number of suspects whose photographs are taken in custody.

What guidance her Department provides to police forces on the taking of custody photographs of suspects who attend voluntary interviews.

Voluntary interviews are used to question a person who is not under arrest about their suspected involvement in a criminal offence, particularly in cases where the legal threshold for arrest is not met. The decision to voluntarily interview a suspect rests with the police and there are a number of factors which must be considered when making this decision including the needs of the investigation, the necessity to arrest, potential vulnerability of the suspect, and any relevant risk factors. Where the statutory conditions for arrest are met, police should always consider whether voluntary interview or arrest would be the most appropriate approach.The Home Office is aware of concerns raised about the use of voluntary attendance and the impact of this on the taking and retention of custody photographs and biometrics. Work is underway to ensure voluntary attendance is used appropriately by the police, especially in relation to sexual offences and options are being considered to increase capture of custody images and biometrics in future.It is important to note that nothing in law or in the relevant statutory codes of practice prevents police from photographing suspects who attend for a voluntary interview, although force may not be used to achieve this while the suspect is not under arrest. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) provides guidance to forces on voluntary interviews which makes clear that it is good practice to photograph suspects attending voluntarily, not least because the photograph may be required for further confirmation of identity if the suspect is subsequently required to return to the police station for biometric samples (fingerprints and DNA), to be recorded after charge or conviction.The Home Office collects and publishes data on police custody and voluntary interviews as part of the ‘Police Powers and Procedures’ statistical series, available here: Police powers and procedures England and Wales statistics - GOV.UK However this data set does not include statistics on the number of suspects whose photographs are taken in custody.