Online Child Abuse Gangs 120/24

FOI Reference: 120/2024

Request:

Please could you provide information on the following:

1. Do you have a published/unpublished policies on how you engage with Online Child Abuse Gangs (OCAGs)? If yes, please can you provide a link?
2. Are mental capacity tests used to assess the capacity of the accused to understand the nature of an offence in the event of OCAG activity leading to arrest?
3. Do you have a policy for recording, processing, and validating evidence provided from OCAGs? If yes, please can you provide a link?
4. Do you provide policing staff with any training around engaging with and making use of evidence from OCAGs?
5. Do you provide any training on working with suspects with learning difficulties?

Response:

Q1.

I can confirm there is no data held by Dyfed Powys Police in relation to this question, as we do not have specific policies regarding OCAGs.

Q2.

Mental capacity is outlined by the College of Policing. Everyone in contact with the police would be assessed under this Act, if at the material time they are deemed unable to make a decision for themselves.

Q3.

I can confirm that there is no information held by Dyfed Powys Police as we have no specific policies in relation to OCAGs.

Q4.

I can confirm that there is no information held by Dyfed Powys Police as we do no provide specific training in relation to OCAGs.

However, Officers are provided with training regarding online investigations utilising evidence gleaned from social media, digital devices, and PACE in general.

Q5.

I can confirm that Dyfed Powys Police Response officers are provided with training regarding the use of appropriate adults. 

During initial training, student officers are provided with a full day input from the mental health lead.

We also work with a local charity who promotes independent advocacy, support, and training for adults with learning disabilities.  Service users provide talks about lived experiences with police and partake in scenarios.  

Detective training are provided with the following inputs:

All learners are given inputs on use of Appropriate Adults, Interpreters and Vulnerability.

For suspect interviewing, the training will cover the following for suspect interviews:–

Specialists who may need to be involved in complex interviews.

Content should cover:

• Medical advisor (as to fitness for interview)
• Interpreter
• Appropriate adult
• Legal advisor
• Witness intermediary
• Interview Advisor

Liaison with Specialist Investigative Interviewers and/or the Interview Advisor in the context of complex investigations

Content should include circumstances when Interview Advisors may be required, for example:

• Interviewees with complex needs
• Serious and complex crime investigations

Considerations and procedures regarding recording interview(s) in complex cases

Content should include:

• Factors associated with the offence and interviewee that may influence recording of interviews
• The types of recording
• Use of props, and when appropriate during an interview

Methods of exploration of a young witness’s understanding of the concept of truthfulness

Content should cover:

• Appreciation of differences between truth and lies
• Consequences of truthfulness / dishonesty
• Necessity for accuracy
• Use of illustrative examples that are appropriate to age and cognitive ability
• Use of an intermediary

(This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 05/03/2024)