Statutory code of practice for police when issuing Community Protection Notices — 7 signatures. Status: open.
Introduce a statutory Code of Practice which outlines specific evidential and procedural safeguards that all police forces must follow when issuing Community Protection Warnings (CPWs) and Community Protection Notices (CPNs) and investigating CPN and CPW breaches.
Breaching a CPN is a criminal offence, yet we feel safeguards are limited. The safeguards should include requiring the police to record all evidence that ensures any statutory tests are met, consider evidence for and against allegations, give the accused a right to respond, and consider whether people issued CPNs and CPWs may be a victim of harassment or malicious reporting. We believe alleged breaches should be properly investigated and that a right of appeal is no substitute for fairness before a CPN is imposed. A statutory Code could ensure national consistency, transparency and accountability.
View this petition on the official UK Parliament website