Category: Police

In April 2026, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has introduced the Policing Performance System (PPS) to strengthen how police performance is monitored and improved across England and Wales.

The Policing Performance System is a joint approach between the policing sector and government to assess, support and improve police performance across England and Wales. It provides transparent, consistent assessment and enables earlier support where improvement is needed, helping forces achieve better outcomes for communities.

Latest police performance levels – HMICFRS

Background

The PPS forms part of the government’s January 2026 white paper From local to national: a new model for policing. It replaces the previous HMICFRS “Scan” and “Engage” monitoring arrangements and works alongside the new Police Performance Framework.

The goal is to identify issues early, offer targeted support and ensure sustainable progress rather than relying solely on reactive inspections.

How the Policing Performance System Works ?

Every one of the 43 police forces in England and Wales is assigned to one of four performance levels. Assignment reflects a force’s current performance, the extent of support required, and its expected engagement with improvement processes.

Forces are continually assessed, with all encouraged to engage proactively with support tools. The system draws on PEEL inspections, force management statements, and other data sources to promote consistency and early intervention.

The Four Performance Levels

Police forces are assigned to one of four performance levels. Each level has associated degrees of support and intervention. The level assigned to a police force reflects:

• its current performance;
• the extent of support required; and
• the expected level of interaction with the support and intervention process.

Level One is the default position for most forces. It applies where there is an overall positive trajectory, even with minor, mitigated concerns. No formal intervention is required, although chief constables and police and crime commissioners may request local support.

Level Two provides enhanced support to prevent deterioration. This level suits forces with enduring low-level, non-systemic issues, receding problems needing oversight, or multiple minor concerns. Forces can self-access or request additional help.

Level Three involves targeted support and intervention. It applies to forces facing a single critical and lasting issue, widespread or systemic concerns, or insufficient progress on existing problems. Chief constables must develop improvement plans and receive bespoke assistance, often from the College of Policing. Lincolnshire Police was placed in Level Three in the first assessments due to issues with call attendance times and child abuse investigations.

Level Four (Special Measures) is the highest level of concern. It is reserved for very serious failings where there is insufficient confidence in current improvement efforts. Forces face statutory requirements to follow HMICFRS recommendations and may be subject to Home Secretary intervention powers.

Oversight and Monitoring

All levels are overseen by the Policing Performance Monitoring Group (PPMG). Chaired by His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, the group includes senior representatives from the Home Office, HMICFRS, the College of Policing, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

The PPMG meets regularly to review performance, hold forces to account, identify good practice, and ensure consistent decision-making. Forces in higher levels are typically required to conduct root cause analysis and share improvement plans.

Latest Developments

On the 16th July 2026, HMICFRS published the first police performance levels under the new system.

While the majority of forces were placed in Level One, a small number received Level Two. Lincolnshire Police was placed in Level Three of the Policing Performance System.

This initial rollout highlights the system’s emphasis on proportionate and supportive intervention.

Check out our articles on Policing by Consent, Police Professional Standards, Police Misconduct Hearings, Police Impartiality, Police Leadership Commission, Police Surveillance, Are the Police for Hire ?, Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC),Police Public Confidence and Engagement, Crime Reporting, What is a Police and Crime Commissioner ?, Sussex Police, Policing, Police News, Two Tiered Policing, Thought Police, Wasting Police Time, Police Community Support Officers (PCSO), Met Police, Chief Constable Jo Shiner, R v Sussex Justices and the highly questionable Sussex Family Justice Board.

The Ministry of Injustice is not the Ministry of Justice nor is it affiliated in any way with the justice system, legal profession, police or any other law enforcement agencies.

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An independent review by the Police Leadership Commission has concluded that police leadership across England and Wales falls short of the consistently high standards the public and officers deserve, calling for a fundamental modernisation of how leaders are recruited, trained and promoted.

Titled Professionalism and performance – police leadership for the future, the report was published on the 6th July 2026 by the College of Policing.

The report was commissioned in October 2025 with Home Office support, and represents the most comprehensive examination of police leadership in England and Wales in a generation.

Key Findings

The report paints a concerning picture of inconsistent leadership standards. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) graded no force as “outstanding” for leadership, with nearly a third requiring improvement and two deemed inadequate.

Police leadership is not consistently of a high enough standard and requires a fundamental overhaul, a landmark independent review has warned.

The report by the Police Leadership Commission, published on Monday, found the system for identifying and developing leaders was too weak, with chief constable roles in England and Wales often attracting a single suitable candidate.

Police leadership needs fundamental overhaul, review finds – BBC

Frontline pressures are acute as almost a third of officers have fewer than five years’ experience, morale is low, and many cite resource shortages, excessive bureaucracy and risk-averse cultures that leave staff unsupported. Eight former or serving chief constables are currently subject to disciplinary investigations or awaiting outcomes.

Public confidence has also declined, with only 49% rating their local police as good or excellent in 2025, compared with 62% a decade earlier.

Central funding for leadership development currently accounts for just 0.02% of the overall police budget which is significantly lower than in other public services such as the NHS or the military.

Core Recommendations

The commission sets out 27 recommendations designed to reset the culture, raise standards and prepare policing for future challenges. Key proposals include:

• Establishing a National Academy of Police Leadership with a dedicated centre, digital platform and nationwide presence to deliver consistent, high-quality training.
• Introducing a new senior constable rank to recognise and reward experienced frontline officers who mentor colleagues and uphold standards.
• Creating a police leadership fast stream open to both internal talent and external candidates, with the aim of developing up to 400 future leaders a year towards superintendent level.
• Overhauling promotion processes to sergeant and inspector ranks, replacing the outdated examination with nationally accredited training and fairer, more transparent selection.
• Introducing mandatory annual performance reviews supported by digital professional passports, alongside routine secondments, targeted direct entry from other sectors, and equal development opportunities for police staff.

The complete list of recommendations presented in the police leadership commission report is published on the College of Policing Website.

The full report Professionalism and performance – police leadership for the future is also published on the College of Policing Website.

Reactions and Next Steps

Policing Minister Sarah Jones welcomed the findings, stating that the recommendations would inform the government’s broader police reform programme. She acknowledged that too many examples of leadership have failed to meet expected standards and emphasised the need for consistent, high-quality training and development for every officer.

Lord Blunkett highlighted the importance of an “ethical reset”, while Sir Andy Marsh, Chief Executive of the College of Policing, described the report as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest properly in the service’s people.

A Path Forward

The proposals align closely with the government’s white paper on police reform – From Local to National: A New Model for Policing and aim to create a more professional, ethical and inclusive leadership culture capable of tackling modern threats such as online crime and technological change.

While the report celebrates pockets of outstanding leadership, it makes clear that systemic weaknesses must be addressed if trust and effectiveness are to be rebuilt. Coordinated implementation by the Home Office, College of Policing and forces will be essential in the months ahead.

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Handcuffs are a standard restraint tool used by police officers across the United Kingdom to help maintain control, prevent escape, protect the public, or reduce the immediate risk of harm.

Any intentional application of force to the person of another is an assault.
The use of handcuffs amounts to such an assault and is unlawful unless it can be justified.
Justification is achieved through establishing not only a legal right to use handcuffs, but also good objective grounds for doing so in order to show that what the officer did was a reasonable, necessary and proportionate use of force

College of Policing – Handcuffing Module Personal Safety

The use of handcuffs is not automatic and is strictly governed by the legal requirement that any force must be lawful, necessary, proportionate and subject to continuous review.

Legal Basis

There is no dedicated legislation that deals solely with handcuffs. Their use is authorised under general provisions governing the use of force.

Section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1967 states that a person may use “such force as is reasonable in the circumstances” in the prevention of crime or in effecting or assisting in the lawful arrest of an offender or suspected offender.

Section 117 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) permits a constable to use reasonable force when exercising powers conferred by the Act, including powers of arrest.

Applying handcuffs constitutes a trespass to the person (technically an assault or battery) unless it is justified by these provisions.

Officers must have an objective, reasonable belief that the individual presents a risk of escape, violence towards officers or others, self-harm, or damage to property. Routine handcuffing, for example during every stop-and-search or low-level arrest, is not permitted. The individual police officer remains personally accountable for the decision.

The Human Rights Act 1998 is engaged where prolonged or unjustified restraint occurs. Unnecessary handcuffing may breach Article 3 (prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment) or Article 5 (right to liberty and security). Courts judge reasonableness on the basis of the information available to the officer at the time, not with the benefit of hindsight.

College of Policing and Force Guidance

The College of Policing’s Authorised Professional Practice (APP) on Personal Safety and Use of Force requires officers to assess each situation individually. Relevant risk factors include the person’s behaviour, demeanour, level of intoxication, known medical conditions and any available intelligence regarding previous violence.

The Metropolitan Police Service Handcuffing procedures – Policy and Handcuffing procedures – Policy FAQ, released under Freedom of Information, makes clear that “the justification to handcuff a person is a use of force and it is up to the officer to justify his/her reasons for handcuffing.” Key procedural requirements include:

• Double-locking the cuffs to prevent overtightening;
• Regular checks for circulation and signs of distress;
• Removal as soon as the risk has sufficiently subsided;
• Particular caution with vulnerable groups (children, elderly, pregnant individuals, or those with visible injuries or medical conditions).

Rigid “speedcuffs” are the standard issue in most UK forces. They are usually applied with hands behind the back for high-risk subjects.

Body-worn video is routinely used to capture both the decision and the application, supporting accountability. Similar risk-based principles apply in all UK police forces.

The Henry Nowak Case

The death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton on the 3rd December 2025 highlighted the critical importance of accurate scene assessment when using handcuffs.

Henry Nowak, a first-year Polish-born finance student at the University of Southampton, was stabbed five times by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa using a 21 cm (approximately 8-inch) Sikh kirpan ceremonial knife. One wound to the chest was fatal. Digwa chased the unarmed Nowak before the attack.

When Hampshire Police officers arrived in the Portswood area, Vickrum Digwa falsely claimed that Nowak had racially abused him and started a fight.

Officers, acting on this information, treated Nowak as the suspect, handcuffed him, and arrested him while he was bleeding. Body-worn camera footage later showed Nowak repeatedly telling officers he had been stabbed and that he could not breathe. He pleaded for help. The handcuffs were removed only after he collapsed. First aid was attempted, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Newly released footage shows the teenager saying four times, ‘I’ve been stabbed’, to which one policeman replies, ‘I don’t think you have mate’.

Officers pull Mr Nowak along the ground as he continues to beg for help, telling them he cannot breathe at least seven times before he is ordered to place his hands in the cuffs.

The injured student was then arrested as he lay dying on the ground, drowning in his own blood.

Moment Henry Died Alone – Daily Mail

Following his conviction for murder at Southampton Crown Court, Vickrum Singh Digwa was sentenced on the 1st June 2026 to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years by His Honour Judge William Mousley KC, the Honorary Recorder of Southampton and Resident Judge.

Police officers honestly believed that there were reasonable grounds for suspecting Henry had committed an offence and arrested him with the consequence he was handcuffed for about a minute before his condition further deteriorated and the arresting officer began CPR.

Judge William Mousley KC sentencing remarks in the case of The King v Vickrum Singh Digwa

“I am really sorry that Henry was arrested and handcuffed just before he lost consciousness.”

Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Robert France of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary Apology

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is independently investigating the officers’ actions, including the decision to handcuff, the assessment of his injuries, and the first aid provided. Officers are currently treated as witnesses. Nowak’s family, including his father Mark, has called for a “full, fearless and transparent” investigation, stating that Henry “did not die with dignity.”

On the 15th June 2026, The Solicitor General Ellie Reeves KC referred the sentence of Vickrum Digwa, convicted of the murder of Henry Nowak, to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

Training and Accountability

Officers receive regular conflict management training that includes restraint techniques, de-escalation, and situational awareness. Handcuffing forms part of personal protective equipment (PPE) programmes. Misuse can lead to internal misconduct proceedings, IOPC investigation, civil claims for assault or false imprisonment, and, in the most serious cases, criminal liability.

Conclusion

Handcuffs remain a lawful and often essential tool in modern policing when used correctly. UK law and policy rightly demand individual risk assessment rather than blanket application.

The tragic death of Henry Nowak illustrates the immense difficulty officers can face when dealing with fast-moving incidents involving conflicting accounts and life-threatening injuries. It also reinforces the need for continual training, effective scene management and public confidence in policing decisions made under pressure.

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The police barred and advisory lists, which are managed by the College of Policing, were introduced under the Police Barred List and Police Advisory List Regulations 2017. They record officers, special constables, and police staff who have been dismissed for serious misconduct or performance failings.

These Regulations are made under Part 4A of the Police Act 1996 (the “1996 Act”), which was inserted by section 30 of, and Schedule 8 to, the Policing and Crime Act 2017. Part 4A of the 1996 Act requires the College of Policing to maintain two lists; the police barred list (see section 88B) and the police advisory list (see section 88J). These Regulations are made under various powers in Part 4A to make provision supplementing the regime established under that Part.

Explanatory Note – Police Barred List and Police Advisory List Regulations 2017

Working alongside the advisory list, it prevents unsuitable individuals from re-entering policing roles while enhancing transparency and public trust.

Purpose and Background

The barred and advisory lists were established as part of the government’s commitment to raising standards in policing. They increase accountability for those dismissed and make the discipline system more transparent by publishing details where appropriate.

Both lists are administered by the College of Policing, which receives reports from forces following dismissals under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020 and Police (Performance) Regulations 2020.

Individuals remain on the barred list indefinitely unless they successfully appeal their dismissal or have their case reviewed after the minimum waiting period. This framework deters poor behaviour and supports a culture of high professional standards.

What the Police Barred List Contains

The barred list includes all officers, special constables, and staff dismissed after formal investigations. For public entries – primarily conduct-related dismissals of warranted officers and special constables – the College publishes the individual’s name, former force, rank, number, date of dismissal, and reason for dismissal.

Police staff and PCSOs appear on an internal version but are not published publicly. The College decides on publication after considering national security, ongoing investigations, or potential harm to individuals. In the vast majority of cases, details are made public.

Public Access and Updates

The police public barred list is searchable and updated monthly, with new names added by the end of the month following dismissal. Entries remain visible for five years from the date of publication before automatic removal from the public version (though the internal record continues).

Dismissals for gross incompetence follow a three-year public visibility period in some contexts, aligned with review rules.

The Advisory List

The advisory list covers individuals who resigned, retired, or left during an investigation, or before allegations came to light. It also includes volunteers whose designated status was withdrawn for conduct or performance reasons. There is no public access to this list.

Forces must consult the advisory list during vetting. While it does not automatically bar employment, hiring organisations must carefully consider the information as part of the recruitment and vetting process.

How the Lists Are Used

All Home Office police forces in England and Wales, Offices of Police and Crime Commissioners, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct are required to check both lists before appointing or employing anyone.

Anyone on the barred list must not be employed in policing roles.

Reviews and Removal from the Barred List

Barred individuals may apply for a review after three years for gross incompetence dismissals or five years for gross misconduct dismissals. Applications are submitted by email to the College of Policing with supporting evidence. The relevant force provides a recommendation, but the College makes the final decision.

Reviews consider the individual’s current suitability, the original circumstances, and the potential impact on public confidence. A successful review does not guarantee re-employment; the applicant must still apply for a role and pass full vetting. The process does not re-examine the original dismissal.

Impact on Policing

By publicly recording dismissals and preventing re-entry of unsuitable personnel, the barred list plays a significant role in maintaining discipline and rebuilding public confidence. Annual statistics published by the College show hundreds of officers added each year, demonstrating the system’s active use.

Overall, the barred and advisory lists represent a balanced approach with firm accountability combined with a structured route for rehabilitation where appropriate.

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Crimestoppers is widely promoted as the United Kingdom’s leading provider of anonymous crime reporting. The charity asserts on its website that individuals who submit information, whether online or by telephone, benefit from “100% anonymity”.

Your anonymity is 100% guaranteed. We are not interested in who you are, only what you know, so the more detail you give us the better. 

Your computer and mobile phone IP addresses cannot be tracked or saved. It’s completely anonymous

Crimestoppers – Give information anonymously

However, questions have been raised about whether this assurance is fully justified.

An independent investigator and YouTuber known as Crimebodge has conducted a detailed examination of these claims.

In a video released on the 21st April 2026, titled I Tested Crimestoppers’ ‘100% Anonymity’ – They FAILED, he systematically tests the service’s safeguards and identifies several technical and procedural shortcomings that may leave users of Crimestoppers less protected than they have been led to believe.

Crimestoppers Online Reporting System

Approximately 80 percent of reports to Crimestoppers are now submitted via its website. While the platform states that it masks IP addresses and does not retain personal data, the investigation reveals a more complex picture.

Report crime anonymously to Crimestoppers
Online – crimestoppers-uk.org
By phone – 0800 555 111

How to report a crime – Police.uk

Analysis of the site shows that it activates 16 third-party trackers before a report is even submitted. These include services from Google, Meta (Facebook), LinkedIn, Snapchat, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Stack Adapt, and Hotjar. Data collected can include:

• IP addresses
• Geolocation information
• Browser fingerprints
• User interaction patterns (such as mouse movements and keystrokes)

The Hotjar tool, in particular, is capable of recording complete user sessions, including content typed into forms. Social media login options further increase the risk of linking activity to identifiable profiles. Notably, privacy notices and cookie consent mechanisms frequently load after many of these trackers have already activated.

The website is also protected by Imperva, a service whose administrators have potential access to raw server logs, including IP data. As a result, the online portal may not offer the level of anonymity that is publicly advertised.

Crimestoppers Telephone Reporting

Crimestoppers maintains that telephone calls are not recorded and that caller numbers are withheld. Nevertheless, several practical vulnerabilities remain:

• Telecommunications providers routinely retain call metadata, which can be accessed by law enforcement.
• The use of 141 to withhold caller ID is widely known and may itself attract attention.
• The 1471 service can often reveal the last caller on landlines.
• In cases involving serious allegations or potential misuse, police have confirmed they will not always uphold anonymity.

Report crime anonymously to Crimestoppers
Online – crimestoppers-uk.org
By phone – 0800 555 111

If you’re concerned your call could be traced, dial 141 before 0800 555 111, this will block your phone number. 

How to report a crime – Police.uk

The organisation’s policy also reserves the right to assist police in identifying individuals who submit reports deemed to be malicious which is a definition that allows considerable discretion.

Effectiveness and Value of Crimestoppers

Crimestoppers’ own published figures, referenced in the investigation, indicate limited outcomes:

• 75 percent of all reports are discarded without any police follow-up.
• Only one in nine reports passed to police results in a tangible outcome.

These statistics suggest that a significant proportion of individuals who submit information may be exposing themselves to potential identification for little discernible public benefit.

Implications of Crimestoppers Anonymity Claims

The investigation does not oppose the principle of anonymous crime reporting. Instead, it highlights the importance of accurate information regarding the actual protections in place. Members of the public who rely on Crimestoppers’ assurances may inadvertently leave digital traces that could later be traced, particularly in high-profile or contentious cases.

The video concludes by recommending that individuals educate themselves about their rights when interacting with law enforcement, rather than depending solely on official channels.

Crimebodge refers readers to his publication, Copper Stopper: How to Protect Yourself From Law Enforcement, available in both paperback and digital formats.

Conclusion

While Crimestoppers undoubtedly provides a valuable public service, its repeated emphasis on “100% anonymity” appears overly optimistic and potentially misleading.

In an environment of widespread digital surveillance and data collection, genuine anonymity demands robust technical measures, transparent limitations, and clear disclaimers.

Check out our articles on Policing by Consent, Police Professional Standards, Police Misconduct Hearings, Police Impartiality, Police Surveillance, Are the Police for Hire ?, Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC),Police Public Confidence and Engagement, Crime Reporting, What is a Police and Crime Commissioner ?, Sussex Police, Policing, Police News, Two Tiered Policing, Thought Police, Wasting Police Time, Police Community Support Officers (PCSO), Met Police, Chief Constable Jo Shiner, R v Sussex Justices and the highly questionable Sussex Family Justice Board.

The Ministry of Injustice is not the Ministry of Justice nor is it affiliated in any way with the justice system, legal profession, police or any other law enforcement agencies.

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