Glossary

An interview conducted under Achieving Best Evidence guidance, used for vulnerable witnesses and victims including child

An offence under section 3 of the Public Order Act 1986 committed when a person uses or threatens unlawful violence towa

Automatic Number Plate Recognition is a technology used by the police to automatically read vehicle number plates and ch

Behaviour that has caused, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm, or distress to any person.

A person who must be present during the custody process when the detainee is a juvenile (under 18) or a person who is me

A person required to be present during the detention and questioning of a juvenile (under 18) or a person who is mentall

A person approved by a local social services authority under section 114 of the Mental Health Act 1983 to undertake cert

The act of depriving a person of their liberty, with legal authority, so that they may be dealt with.

A police officer who has been selected, trained, and accredited to carry and use firearms. AFOs undergo rigorous trainin

A video and audio recording device worn by police officers to capture their interactions with the public.

A common law power allowing a constable (and any citizen) to arrest a person where a breach of the peace is happening, h

A formal warning given by a police officer before questioning a suspect. The standard caution under PACE Code C is: "You

Closed-circuit television used for surveillance in public and private places. Police may access CCTV from local authorit

The formal allegation by which a suspect is told that they are accused of a specific criminal offence and brought before

The most senior police officer in a territorial police force in England and Wales (except the Metropolitan Police, heade

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a form of child sexual abuse in which a child or young person under 18 is manipulated

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), commonly known as Clare's Law after Clare Wood who was murdered by her e

Eight codes (A through H) issued under section 66 of PACE that regulate how police powers are exercised.

An offence under section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015. Coercive or controlling behaviour in an intimate or family re

The professional body for policing in England and Wales, established in 2012.

An informal disposal used at street level or following a custody investigation for minor offending.

A formal disposal under section 22 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 in which a suspect is cautioned subject to condition

A search conducted with the voluntary consent of the person rather than under a statutory power such as PACE s.1 or s.23

A substance listed in Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, divided into three classes: Class A (heroin, cocaine,

A warrant issued by the county court authorising the enforcement of a court order, most commonly a warrant of control (f

A form of organised crime where drug gangs from urban areas establish supply networks in smaller towns and rural areas,

A person who establishes or maintains a relationship with another person for the covert purpose of obtaining information

The location where a criminal offence has taken place or where evidence relating to an offence may be found. Securing an

An order under section 22 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 that may be made by a criminal court

The practice of drug dealers taking over the home of a vulnerable person to use it as a base for dealing drugs. The home

An officer of at least the rank of sergeant, appointed to be responsible for the treatment and welfare of detained perso

A detailed record maintained for every person detained at a police station.

The maximum period a person may be detained without charge. Under PACE section 41, the basic limit is 24 hours from arri

An independent lay volunteer appointed under the Police Reform Act 2002 to inspect police custody suites and check on th

The Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour-based Violence risk identification checklist used by police to assess risk in do

The act of releasing a person from arrest before they reach the police station, effectively reversing the arrest in the

A police station designated by the chief officer as suitable for detaining arrested persons.

The running time limit that governs how long a person may be detained without charge.

The duty on the prosecution to disclose to the defence any material that might reasonably be considered capable of under

A power under section 34 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 allowing a constable (with authorisat

DNA samples and profiles are collected under PACE sections 63 and 63A. A non-intimate sample (such as a mouth swab) may

Defined by the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 as abusive behaviour directed at a person aged 16 or over by someone personally c

An emergency notice issued by a police superintendent to protect a victim of domestic abuse.

A civil order made by a magistrates' court following a DVPN, lasting up to 28 days.

Section 5A of the Road Traffic Act 1988, inserted by the Crime and Courts Act 2013, makes it an offence to drive or be i

A solicitor available through the Legal Aid Agency's Defence Solicitor Call Centre (DSCC) to advise and represent detain

An offence that may be tried either in the magistrates' court or the Crown Court. The defendant has the right to elect t

Technology that identifies or verifies individuals by comparing facial features captured on camera against a database of

Fingerprints may be taken without consent under PACE section 61 from anyone arrested for a recordable offence and detain

The Firearms Act 1968 is the principal statute regulating the possession and use of firearms and ammunition in Great Bri

A certificate issued by the chief constable under section 27 of the Firearms Act 1968, required before a person may poss

The custody officer must assess whether a detained person is fit to be held in a police cell.

A notice issued by a constable or accredited person requiring payment of a fixed financial penalty as an alternative to

Physical evidence collected from crime scenes, victims, or suspects and analysed using scientific techniques.

The critical early period in a criminal investigation, typically the first hour after an offence is reported.

A mnemonic used by officers conducting a stop and search under PACE Code A to ensure they provide the required informati

A breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour so serious that it would justify dismissal.

Any criminal offence perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on race

Formal procedures under PACE Code D for identifying suspects. The preferred method is a video identification (VIPER), wh

An offence that may be tried on indictment in the Crown Court before a judge and jury. Indictable-only offences such as

A person who provides information to the police covertly about criminal activity.

The 5x5x5 system is the standard intelligence grading framework used by UK police forces. The first "5" rates the source

A formal interview conducted by police with a suspect, during which the caution is administered and the interview is aud

A search consisting of the physical examination of a person's body orifices other than the mouth.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is the independent body responsible for overseeing the police complaints syste

An investigation conducted by the Independent Office for Police Conduct into the most serious police complaints and inci

A police tactic involving the containment of a group of people within a cordon, preventing them from leaving the area. U

Offences involving knives or bladed articles. Key offences include possession of a bladed article in a public place (sec

A preventive civil order introduced by the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 that can be imposed on individuals aged 12 and ove

A warrant granted by a magistrates' court permitting continued detention beyond 36 hours. The police must apply to a mag

Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements are the framework through which police, probation, and prison services work

The primary legislation governing the compulsory detention, assessment, and treatment of people with mental disorders in

A situation where a person is experiencing severe mental distress or a psychiatric emergency, potentially putting themse

A breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour for police officers that falls short of gross misconduct.

The primary statute governing the control of drugs in the United Kingdom. It classifies controlled drugs into Class A, B

An umbrella term covering slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour, and human trafficking as defined by the Moder

The deployment of police officers from one force to assist another, typically for pre-planned operations, major incident

The primary decision-making framework used by police in England and Wales.

Before a constable may arrest a person without a warrant under section 24 of PACE, two conditions must be met: there mus

A policing model focused on dedicated teams serving defined geographic areas.

No Further Action. A decision to take no criminal proceedings against a suspect, either because there is insufficient ev

A category of offences that police forces are required to report to the Home Office for statistical purposes.

A means of resolving a criminal matter without a formal prosecution in court.

The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 is the primary statute governing police powers in England and Wales.

An incapacitant spray used by police officers as a less-lethal option. PAVA (pelargonic acid vanillylamide) replaced CS

A fixed penalty notice that may be issued for specified low-level disorder offences including being drunk and disorderly

A location to which a person may be removed and detained under sections 135 or 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 when th

The Police National Computer is a national database system used by police forces in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northe

The Police National Database is a national intelligence-sharing platform used by UK law enforcement.

An elected official responsible for securing efficient and effective policing in their force area.

A body that hears appeals by police officers against findings of misconduct hearings.

Release from police custody subject to conditions requiring the person to return to the police station at a specified da

A young person, typically aged 13 to 17, who participates in a police volunteer programme designed to build community en

A formal warning given to an adult offender as an alternative to prosecution. The person must admit the offence, and the

A Police Community Support Officer is a member of the extended police family, employed by a chief constable, who perform

The Police Federation of England and Wales is the statutory staff association representing constables, sergeants, and in

A formal hearing before a panel chaired by a legally qualified chair (for gross misconduct) or a chief officer (for misc

The Police National Database (PND) is a UK-wide intelligence system that holds a wide range of police information includ

A vehicle pursuit occurs when a driver fails to stop when required and an officer follows the vehicle at speed.

A form of suffocation that occurs when a person's body position restricts their ability to breathe, particularly when re

A statutory authority permitting police or other authorised persons to enter premises. Over 1,300 powers of entry exist

A release from custody subject to conditions or an obligation to return to the police station.

Bail imposed on a suspect before they are charged with an offence, under section 47ZA of PACE as amended by the Policing

A statutory duty under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 requiring specified authorities (includ

The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) provides the legal framework for confiscating criminal assets in England and Wales

An offence under section 4(2) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to produce or be concerned in the production of a controll

The principle that force used must be no more than is reasonably necessary in the circumstances.

An organisation banned under section 3 of the Terrorism Act 2000 because the Secretary of State believes it is involved

The primary legislation for public order offences in England and Wales.

A threshold of suspicion that must be met before an officer exercises certain powers, including stop and search under se

An offence for which the police are required to maintain a record on the Police National Computer (PNC).

Crime that has been recorded by the police in accordance with the Home Office Counting Rules (HOCR) for Recorded Crime.

Release from police custody without bail conditions while the investigation continues. The person is not required to ret

A process that brings together the offender and the victim (where both consent) to address the harm caused by a crime an

A formal periodic examination of the grounds for continued detention.

Under PACE section 56, a person arrested and held in custody has the right to have one named person informed of their ar

Under PACE section 58, a person arrested and held in custody is entitled to consult a solicitor privately at any time.

The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 provides the legal framework for surveillance and investigation of elect

Under section 6 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, a constable in uniform may require any person driving or attempting to dri

Multi-agency procedures designed to protect children, young people, and vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, exploitat

The process of securing and protecting a crime scene from contamination, loss of evidence, or interference. Scene preser

Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 allows examining officers at ports, airports, and international rail stations to st

Section 1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 provides the main statutory power to stop and search a person in

Section 135 of the Mental Health Act 1983 provides two powers.

A power under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 allowing a constable to remove a person from any place to which

Section 163 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 gives a constable in uniform the power to stop any mechanically propelled vehic

Section 163 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 gives a constable in uniform the power to stop any motor vehicle on a road. Unl

Section 17 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 permits a constable to enter and search premises without a warra

Section 18 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 allows a constable to enter and search premises occupied or cont

Section 24 of PACE provides the power of arrest without warrant for any offence, replacing the old distinction between a

Section 32 of PACE allows a constable to search a person on arrest if the constable has reasonable grounds to believe th

Section 49 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (Part III) gives authorities the power to require a person

Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 makes it an offence to use threatening or abusive words or behaviour, or disorder

A power under section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 that, once authorised by an inspector or abov

Section 78 of PACE gives the court a discretion to exclude prosecution evidence if, having regard to all the circumstanc

An order under the Public Order Act 2023 that may be imposed by a court on a person convicted of a protest-related offen

The common name for the notification requirements under Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

A civil order under section 103A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 that can be made against a person convicted of a sexual

The primary legislation governing sexual offences in England and Wales. It modernised the law on rape, sexual assault, a

A certificate issued by the chief constable under section 28 of the Firearms Act 1968, required for the possession of a

A volunteer who holds the office of constable and has full police powers. Special constables are unpaid but receive expe

Provisions under the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 to help vulnerable and intimidated witnesses give thei

Special constables are volunteer police officers who hold the full powers of a regular constable when on duty.

A mesh hood placed over a detainee's head to prevent spitting and biting. Its use is controversial and must be justified

Ten standards set out in the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020 that all officers must uphold: honesty and integrity, aut

A voluntary interaction in which an officer asks a person to account for their actions, behaviour, or presence.

A power allowing a constable in a public place to stop and search a person or vehicle for stolen articles or articles ma

A multi-agency approach where mental health professionals work alongside police to respond to incidents involving people

A search involving the removal of more than outer clothing. Under PACE Code C Annex A, a strip search may only take plac

An offence triable only in the magistrates' court. Summary offences include most road traffic offences, minor assaults (

A superintendent (or above) may authorise continued detention beyond the initial 24-hour period up to a maximum of 36 ho

Monitoring, observing, or listening to persons or their activities or communications.

A conducted energy device (CED) that temporarily incapacitates a person through an electrical charge.

The primary legislation defining terrorism and providing powers for its investigation and prevention.

In a policing context, triage refers to the process of assessing and prioritising incoming emergency calls and incidents

A court order under section 362A of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (inserted by the Criminal Finances Act 2017) requirin

The application of physical force, including restraint, the use of equipment such as handcuffs, Taser, or batons, and th

A statement made by the victim of a crime explaining how the offence has affected them physically, emotionally, financia

An interview with a suspect who attends voluntarily and is not under arrest.

A written authorisation issued by a magistrate or judge permitting police to take a specified action, most commonly to e