The Home Affairs Select Committee has today released the 'female genital mutilation: abuse unchecked' report.  Our national lead explains how police forces must work with health, education, social care, NGOs and the affected communities to eradicate FGM.

Police forces were deployed at major airports across England and Scotland at key dates this summer to educate passengers about the law on female genital mutilation (FGM), to safeguard those who may be at risk and identify any victims of the practice.

The fight against metal thieves stepped up a gear this week (5 – 9 September 2016) after police and heritage experts joined together for the first time to carry out coordinated enforcement action.

The NSPCC have highlighted increases in the number of reports to police forces of people accessing indecent images of children. Tackling this growth is a national priority and we are responding robustly to arrest more offenders and safeguard more children than ever before.

Since the psychoactive substances act was introduced 3 months ago, forces across the country have been using new powers to significantly reduce the number of retailers and head shops stocking these substances.

Police forces will enforce the law involving cannabis use by using a range of options depending on the individual circumstances of the case. As always they will follow a proportionate approach signposting users to education and support services. 

Sexting can be seen as harmless or normal activity but there are many risks involved. Once circulated, the sender loses all control of that image and it can cause significant distress when it gets into wider hands. The new NSPCC guidance offers invaluable advice to parents how to speak to young people and intervene early.

Chief officers have responded to a review by Sir Eric Pickles MP on electoral fraud. Assistant Chief Constable Gary Cann supported the review, which was commissioned last year by former Prime Minister David Cameron MP, and gave evidence to the inquiry team.

Statistics published today as part of the Crime Survey of England and Wales show the numbers of adults who experienced abuse as a child.  

We need all agencies to work together to provide a consistent, coordinated repsonse to support those in need.

Following increases in the reporting of hate crime to the True Vision website, the National Police Chiefs' Council requested weekly Hate Crime returns from all forces.

The priorities for law enforcement are to make the UK a hostile place for cyber-criminals to target or operate, improve the response to victims and develop capabilities in local forces.