PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Cleveland Police Authority (21 February 2017)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she has taken to ensure that (a) evidence was not destroyed and (b) witnesses were not intimidated by members of Cleveland Police during Operation Sacristy.

Asked by:
Anna Turley (Labour)

We do not comment on operational decisions by forces investigating crime and therefore cannot provide specific detail on this operation. The management of witnesses during any investigation by a law enforcement agency should be compliant with the Victims Code (2015) and Witness Charter (2013), this ensures a minimum level of service to all victims and witnesses.

Where intimidation is identified, measures can be taken in accordance with the Victims’ Code and Witness Charter to mitigate risk. Where the risk to a victim or witness is deemed serious and ongoing, management may be provided by the UK Protected Persons Service (UKPPS). The UKPPS can neither confirm nor deny individuals as protected persons to preserve their anonymity and safety.

Operational decisions in relation to the retention of evidence by law enforcement agencies is governed by the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996.

Answered by:
Sir Brandon Lewis (Conservative)
24 February 2017