Police forces in England and Wales will now be encouraged to disclose the ethnicity and nationality of suspects charged in high-profile or sensitive cases, under new guidance from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).
The change is aimed at countering misinformation and improving public safety in incidents of significant public interest. Decisions will remain at the discretion of individual forces, with legal and ethical considerations taken into account.
The move follows recent high-profile cases, including the arrest of two men reported to be Afghan asylum seekers over the alleged rape of a 12-year-old in Warwickshire, and criticism over police withholding information in other cases, which allowed false rumours to spread and contributed to riots in 2024.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said there must be “more transparency” about suspects’ backgrounds. A Home Office spokesperson added that public trust required “transparency and consistency” from authorities.
The NPCC stressed that confirming immigration status is not the role of police, and that such information would be provided by the Home Office if deemed appropriate. Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya, NPCC lead for communications, said the changes were designed to ensure police processes are “fit for purpose in an age of social media speculation”.
The updated guidance, developed with the Crown Prosecution Service, the Home Office, and the College of Policing, comes into effect immediately. The College will update its professional practice on media relations later this year.