Response from HM Chief Inspector Andy Cooke to the Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner (accessible version)
Updated 31 October 2023
© Crown copyright 2023
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/retaining-the-biometrics-of-people-arrested-for-serious-offences/response-from-hm-chief-inspector-andy-cooke-to-the-biometrics-and-surveillance-camera-commissioner-accessible-version
23 Stephenson Street
Birmingham
B2 4BH
Email: andrew.cooke@hmicfrs.gov.uk
Andy Cooke QPM DL
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services
Sent by email:
Professor Fraser Sampson
Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner
26 October 2023
Dear Fraser,
Use of police powers to retain the biometrics of people arrested for serious offences
Thank you for taking the time to write to me on the above issue.
I will bring your well-founded concerns to the attention of Chief Constable Sarah Crew, who is the National Police Chief Council (NPCC) lead for rape and serious sexual offences. I will be asking Chief Constable Crew for her support in promoting an improved and more consistent use of the s.63G power across the police service.
I will also ensure that this concern is communicated to our senior colleagues at the College of Policing and is conveyed in our ongoing discussions with our partners collaborating with us as we develop our Bluestone Soteria inspection programme. I am hopeful that this work will bring about more positive outcomes for victims of rape and serious sexual offences.
We are constantly reviewing our wider inspection framework to better understand how well police forces prevent and detect crime. As we continue to develop our methodology, we will consider how we can incorporate the points raised in your letter to challenge the police service to make more effective use of the s.63G power.
Yours sincerely,
Andy Cooke QPM DL
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services