Specialist policy on investigating indecent exposure
At the earliest opportunity, and by September 2024 at the latest, police forces should ensure that they have a specialist policy on investigating all sexual offences, including so-called 'non-contact' offences, such as indecent exposure.
- The recommendation set a deadline of September 2024 for all police forces to have a specialist policy on investigating sexual offences including indecent exposure.
- The Angiolini Inquiry Part 2 report, published 2 December 2025, found that 74% of police forces had implemented a specialist policy, but 26% were still reviewing or consulting on new policies as of September 2025 (Angiolini Inquiry Part 2 First Report, December 2025).
- The September 2024 deadline was not met by all forces.
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedHome Secretary James Cleverly said: "The act of pure evil committed against Sarah shocked the nation to its core. My heart goes out to Sarah's family and to all the brave victims who came forward to help inform this report and drive change. The man who committed these crimes is not a reflection on the majority of dedicated police officers working day in, day out to help people. But Sarah was failed in more ways than one by the people who were meant to keep her safe, and it laid bare wider issues in policing and society that need to be urgently fixed. In the 3 years since, a root and stem clean-up of the policing workforce has been underway and we have made huge strides – as well as making tackling violence against women and girls a national policing priority to be treated on par with terrorism. But we will continue to do everything in our power to protect women and girls. I am grateful to Lady Elish for her meticulous investigation. Her insights will be invaluable as we move forward in supporting our police to build forces of the highest standards of integrity and regain the trust of the British public."
NPCC Chair, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens said: "The Angiolini Inquiry made for shocking and sombre reading, a view which I know is shared across policing. We must ensure there is nowhere to hide in policing for wrongdoers, that we lead a police service which the public, and especially women and girls, can trust to protect them and that we are uncompromising on the high standards our communities deserve. We have reviewed the findings and recommendations in detail and accept them all. We have a number of ongoing national improvement plans and we are assessing how these will be updated and added to in light of the Inquiry findings. Along with my colleagues and fellow police leaders we recognise this as an urgent call for action and we are committed to bringing lasting, impactful change for future generations."
Progress Timeline
Inquiry assessment: 26% of police forces have not yet implemented specialist policy on investigating sexual offences including indecent exposure (as of September 2025).
Published Evidence
Published assessments of progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Source type badge indicates whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
26% of police forces have not yet implemented specialist policy on investigating sexual offences including indecent exposure (as of September 2025).
View detailed findings
The NPCC has been monitoring force delivery. As of September 2025, 74% of forces reported this recommendation as complete. For the remaining 26%, activity to review existing policies is taking place or forces are consulting on new policies.