Police set new rules on releasing suspects nationality and ethnicity

A new guideline aims to standardize when police reveal a suspect's nationality or ethnicity in high profile cases.

Police Guidance on Releasing Suspects Nationality and Ethnicity

The College of Policing is finalizing interim guidance to standardize how forces handle media releases about suspects. The effort comes after years of evolving practice and a push to clarify when nationality, asylum status, or ethnicity can be disclosed in the public interest. The guidance will be updated with input from the CPS and the Home Office and rolled out later this year.

In recent high profile cases, Merseyside Police disclosed that a suspect was white and British to quell rumors of a terrorist attack, while a separate case where no nationality or ethnicity was released allowed misinformation to spread and contributed to unrest in 2024. Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya says information travels quickly online and that fair, transparent practices can improve confidence in policing. The Home Office says clearer rules are needed on when to share information and will consider releasing accompanying immigration details where appropriate, with police input.

The plan reflects a broader tension between openness and the risk of misinterpretation in a fast moving information environment. Releasing personal details can reassure the public, but it can also inflame prejudice or invite scrutiny of policing choices. Clear criteria and consistent messaging are essential to maintain public trust, especially as social media amplifies every statement.

The government and police must guard against turning ethnicity or nationality into a talking point rather than a factual update. By linking disclosures to concrete criteria and independent oversight, the approach could raise confidence if applied consistently, or fuel distrust if seen as inconsistent or biased.

Highlights

The outcome will depend on how well rules translate into everyday practice across forces.