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West Midlands Police West Midlands Police ™ home

Call 0845 113 5000 for all non-emergencies and enquiries

Our Policies

Release of information

Our policy is to be open and honest. We will strive to provide timely, accurate and comprehensive information. We have, however, to consider the views and wellbeing of victims and witnesses as well as avoiding any information that will compromise an investigation, any future court case or ongoing work with partner organisations.

News items and press releases will be placed onto the medialine, the internet and distributed via email. Press releases will contain contact details for the originator who will co-ordinate any further requests. It helps if this person is contacted and not the news desk. When possible we will endeavour to provide supporting material such as photographs and a spokesperson.

At busy times the demand from the media is extensive. We will try our best to process enquiries but ask for your understanding.

Release of photographs

There are ACPO Media Advisory Group (Mag) guidelines for the release of photographs that we comply with and we will release photographs:

  • Of people convicted of serious arrestable offences
  • Of known individuals wanted for offences in exceptional circumstances
  • Of unknown individuals we wish to trace in connection with offences


Human rights and data protection legislation means that we have to be more careful than ever about which photographs we release, to whom and why.

Anti Social Behaviour Orders Picture Release Policy

Background

MAG guidelines do not cover the release of ASBO photographs.

ASBOs are a civil rather than a criminal sanction, and may be granted for sustained ‘low level’ behaviour rather than for serious arrestable offences.

However, ASBOs place restrictions on the individual against whom they are granted and preclude them from indulging in their anti social behaviour. Very often these restrictions specify geographic locations which the person is banned from.

The West Midlands Police policy re ASBOs is as follows:

  1. The release of photographs of ASBO subjects is generally justified as part of the process of obtaining and enforcing the order. We will normally release photographs unless there are compelling reasons not to do so.
  2. In particular the release of ASBO photographs informs the community that a person has restrictions placed on them and tells the community who that person is and what the restrictions are.
  3. This has a reassuring effect on the community and allows it more opportunity to recognise and report any anti social behaviour or breach of conditions which may take place.
  4. There is no automatic restriction on identifying juveniles who are given ASBOs in adult courts and we will release pictures of juveniles where appropriate.
  5. Photographs released by police will normally be police custody photographs which are taken separately from the ASBO process per se. However, arrests made will usually result from at least part of the behaviour which led to the ASBO and such pictures are therefore relevant and appropriate to release.
  6. Careful consideration will be given to the scope of the release of photographs. For example, where an ASBO is relevant only to a specific area or location it should not be circulated further afield than necessary. Geographic boundaries and limits on types of behaviour will be taken into account when deciding on the extent of release. The release of photographs must be proportionate to the terms of the ASBO.
  7. Photographs will only be released contemporaneously to the granting of the ASBO order for the specific purpose of publicising the order and providing information to the public and/or local businesses/traders etc as appropriate.
  8. Photographs will be released with the following proviso made clear in writing to the recipient: This applies to all photographs/video released by West Midlands Police.


“Any photograph / footage / material released by West Midlands Police is released for use in reporting / publicising the specific incident / operation / court conviction / court order to which it relates.

Its use thereafter is not sanctioned by West Midlands Police without the authority of the Chief Constable or his representative. West Midlands Police retains the copyright. You are reminded of your obligations under the Contempt of Court Act 1981 and in the context of any other restrictions which may have been imposed in reporting this matter.”

Major Incidents

By the very nature of major incidents initial information is often confused and variable. A press officer will attend the scene to support police officers and the media. Press briefings will be arranged as soon as is possible with meaningful information from a relevant spokesperson. Police time scales following a major incident will often be different to those of the media because we have to manage the scene and secure evidence. Regular updates will be available on the voicebank and the internet.

Disputes

Invariably there will be times when there is disagreement about the information that is released or the service that we provide. When this happens contact should be made with either the head of the department, head of news or head of public relations.