Cliff Notes
- New national guidance requires police to disclose the ethnicity and nationality of suspects in high-profile cases if it serves public interest or safety, and is supported by the Home Office for relevant immigration information.
- This policy has been criticised as fuelling racial hatred in the country to highlight the ethnicity when it only becomes relevant in certain cases involving Blacks and Muslims.
- The change follows controversies, including protests related to Afghan asylum seekers charged in a sensitive case, with officials emphasising the need for increased transparency amidst public speculation and disinformation.
- While police can decide when to release such information, they must balance ethical implications and legal standards, amidst concerns over potential backlash from anti-racism advocates and the necessity for public trust.
Police ordered to consider revealing ethnicity of suspects | Politics News
Police should consider disclosing the ethnicity and nationality of suspects when they are charged in high-profile and sensitive cases, new national guidance says.
Coming into force today, it says there must be a policing reason to release the information, such as where there are high levels of disinformation, if it will improve public safety, or if it is significantly in the public interest.
A Home Office spokesperson said they will support the new guidance by authorising the release of relevant accompanying immigration information if appropriate.
The change comes after two men charged over the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton were reported to be Afghan asylum seekers, sparking protests.
The police give in to Reform’s bullying
Warwickshire Police did not confirm the immigration status, leading to Reform UK (Brexit party) accusing them of a “cover-up”, something the force strongly denied.
Responding to the row, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said last week she wanted police to be more transparent, and that new guidance was being worked up.
Sky News had a very one-sided panel, who all praised the move, after the new instructions were announced, policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said “we welcome the guidance” which the government thinks is “really helpful”.
She added: “We want to be as transparent and as open as possible with the public” – and this includes releasing ethnicity and nationality unless there is “good reason not to”.
