Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has demanded immediate changes to police guidance after revelations that officers routinely share suspects' immigration status with the Home Office, even before charges are filed.
The Labour MP raised concerns that this practice could deter victims and witnesses from coming forward, particularly in vulnerable communities. "Current protocols risk undermining trust in policing," Cooper warned.
Growing Controversy Over Police Practices
Recent reports indicate that police forces across England and Wales have been automatically flagging immigration details of individuals arrested for minor offences. Critics argue this creates a "hostile environment" and diverts officers from tackling serious crime.
Key Concerns Highlighted:
- Potential chilling effect on community policing
- Risk of discouraging crime reporting in migrant communities
- Questions about proportionality in minor offence cases
The Home Office maintains that information sharing helps maintain effective immigration controls, but civil liberties groups counter that it erodes public trust in law enforcement.
Call for Revised Guidelines
Cooper has written to the Home Secretary urging reforms to ensure immigration status disclosure occurs only when strictly necessary for public protection. The proposed changes would:
- Limit automatic data sharing to serious offences
- Require supervisory approval for disclosure
- Provide clear guidance on proportionality assessments
This development comes amid broader debates about policing priorities and community relations in multicultural Britain. The Home Office has yet to respond publicly to Cooper's demands.
