Latest changes to APP

Overview of the latest changes to APP.

APP is subject to review (either scheduled or triggered) in consultation with the relevant National Policing Business Area. All amendments go through a review process and further information is available from [email protected]

More detailed changes to APP content may be recorded separately by the the APP team. If you require a copy of APP as it was on a particular date (for example, for an enquiry) please email [email protected]. All requests must be approved by the relevant Policing Standards Manager.

Latest changes to APP

Date Category Guidance Changes
Armed policing Deployment of authorised firearms officers (AFOs)

Changes made to section 'Authority to deploy AFOs'.

Change made to third sentence of the third paragraph – 'Where practicable, any subsequently authorised armed deployment should be subject to appropriate tactical advice.'

'Should' changed to 'must'.

Major investigation and public protection Forced marriage and honour based abuse

Updated link to 'Honour-based abuse advice for first responders' PDF to the updated March 2023 version.

Major investigation and public protection > Missing persons Specific investigations

Link removed to UKMPB file 'Identification process – good practice: Procedural'.

Major investigation and public protection Forced marriage and honour based abuse

Links and dates to the following documents updated to reflect the 2023 version:
1 - HM Government (2014) The Right to Choose: Multi-agency statutory guidance for dealing with forced marriage
2 - HM Government (2014) Multi-agency practice guidelines: Handling Cases of Forced Marriage  

Stop and search > Legal Legal application

Detail added on the recommendation for rank of supervisor for searches involving exposure of intimate parts of the body and recording of the interaction. 

Major investigation and public protection > Missing persons Strategic responsibilities

References to MPB amended to UKMPU (UK Missing Persons Unit)

Investigation Investigation process

Changes made to 'Jurisdiction and ownership' section are:

  • link to Home Office Counting Rules updated
  • link changed to Home Office Counting Rules for Recorded Crime (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Major investigation and public protection > Investigating child abuse and safeguarding children Child abuse linked reference material

Added links to Voice of the child documents

Investigation Working with victims and witnesses

Voice of the Child documents added to section on National support for law enforcement agencies

Mental health Suicide and bereavement response

Changes made to section - Suicide and bereavement response. An additional bullet was added between 'seize any note showing.....' and 'recover any relevant communication.....'. Extra bullet point added read 'consider whether domestic abuse or coercive and controlling behaviour may have contributed to or caused the death'

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