Question
In 2023, you made reference to the approach PSNI took in regards to Home Office referrals where people reported a crime. What update can you offer on the actions you’ve noted in your response to Les Allamby? Have you reflected on how this might have impacted reports from racist attacks in Summer 2024 and Spring 2025? If so, what learning are you able to share?
Answer
In March 2023, and in response to the issues raised by Mr. Allamby, the PSNI undertook an end-to-end review of the various processes that could potentially result in the referral of Foreign Nationals to Home Office Immigration Enforcement (HOIE).
This review revealed an embedded process within our Niche system that prompted officers to consider the requirement to refer a Foreign National individual to HOIE, without regard to their status as a victim, suspect or witness to a crime. On discovery, and on the direction of then ACC Singleton, now DCC Singleton, this process was immediately ceased prior to completion of a full review.
A revised process, which does not prompt officers to consider referral to HOIE where a Foreign National is a victim of crime or witness, was then implemented.
A series of meetings with external partners has taken place since 2023 and has resulted in new draft guidance, which is now in the last stages of finalisation and approval prior to implementation. This new guidance will further ensure that Foreign Nationals who are victims and witnesses of crime will not be subject to routine referral to HOIE. Foreign National criminal suspects who are referred to HOIE will be referred via a bespoke email process, which will ensure the numbers and rationale for referrals can be audited, as opposed to current arrangements where referrals outside of custody are made via telephone. A training package is also being developed to ensure officers have the knowledge and tools required to use the new processes effectively and to reassure victims and witnesses accordingly.
With respect to the recent racist attacks, the current PSNI processes implemented post-early 2023 do not prompt officers to refer Foreign National victims to the Home Office to ascertain their immigration status, so victims of these attacks should not have experienced any negative impacts.
A more formal event with key stakeholders to communicate the changes and the revised processes in this area of policing is being progressed for a date later this year and it is hoped that this will further reassure diverse ethnic communities and encourage confidence in reporting.
Dr. Kate Laverty