Annual Report 2019/20

PURPOSE, MISSION, SIX AREAS OF FOCUS

Our purpose Safer communities in the UK and across the world

Our mission Our six areas of focus (from our host force Hampshire )

• Provide effective and responsible criminal records • Tackling crime and offending information services • Identifying and protecting those who need our help

• Develop, expand and promote our services • Looking after our people and the value they add • Ethical and inclusive of all • Lead in the field of criminal records information services, providing specialist advice, guidance and support • Track, assess, learn and improve • Building partnerships that enable a better public service

2 ACRO Annual Report | 2019/20

FOREWORD

Martin Hewitt Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and chair of ACRO’s governance board

ACRO has once again made strides in safeguarding But dealing with COVID has not been the only Our six areas of focus (from our host force ) children across the globe. I applaud the work challenge. The practical realities as we transition out done in collaboration with the Council of British of the EU once again loom on the horizon. Whatever International Schools and have no doubt that this the outcome of the current negotiations between partnership will help to highlight the importance and the UK and the EU, I am confident that ACRO will value of the International Child Protection Certificate. continue to play its critical role in keeping people It will continue to support the ACRO mission to safe, both here and overseas. ensure the safety and welfare of young people, both in the UK and abroad. Finally, I would like to pay tribute to Ian Readhead. As ACRO’s first Chief Executive, Ian saw the The period covered by this report ended with the organisation grow from a small operating unit in the beginning of a global pandemic. I could speak at south of England to a thriving national police unit great length about the various challenges the police with a significant international profile. By the time he service has faced in responding to coronavirus, but I retired, he had rightly gained recognition for his work will simply say that we have shown ourselves at our from police chiefs around the world. I was saddened best in overcoming these challenges, and we should to hear of his passing and my thoughts remain with all be very proud of what we have accomplished. his family, friends and colleagues. He will be missed.

This success is in no small part down to the hard I am very grateful for the commitment and hard work of ACRO in setting up the Fixed Penalty work of everyone at ACRO, and I wish everyone at Notice (FPN) administrative service. We made the organisation all the very best for the future. a commitment to be transparent about how the pandemic was policed, and promised a fortnightly publication schedule of FPN data.

The publication of this data has been a huge undertaking, and it is thanks to the monumental effort of everyone at ACRO that we’ve been able to deliver. For that, and for the continued support during these demanding times, you have my thanks.

ACRO Annual Report | 2019/20 3 INTRODUCTION

Rob Price ACRO Chief Executive Officer

I am once again proud to see so many examples of ACRO’s It demonstrates our ability as a forward-leaning, creative and purpose of safer communities brought to life. innovative problem-solver, and I am incredibly proud of the team’s efforts. We’ll report more on this next year. Achievements included a collaboration with the Council of British International Schools as our founding Global ICPC Ambassador, Global Britain and the future improving conviction exchange rates globally, and the return on investment we provided to policing. The end of the EU exit transition period will bring opportunities to forge stronger relationships with Member States. We maintained focus on preparing for EU exit, working with police, government and law enforcement partners to ensure continued I am ambitious for ACRO’s place within the Global Britain vision, conviction exchange. using our expertise to further develop international partnerships.

Nationally, our fixed penalty notices work has generated interest Covid-19 and 2020 so far in ACRO’s potential for developing further solutions on behalf of The pandemic has led to a drop in certificate applications and a UK policing. short-term reduction in requests for overseas criminal convictions. Challenges remain, not least managing the financial impact of the The principle that our staff are ACRO’s greatest asset has never reduction in demand for Police Certificates, but there is clearly been truer; their resilience throughout has been exemplary. great scope for enhancing ACRO’s essential role in policing.

We retained our commitment to safer communities, prioritising staff As we look ahead, we also say farewell to my predecessor, wellbeing while maintaining vital services, as well as supporting Ian Readhead, who will be sorely missed. Ian’s legacy our host force, Hampshire Constabulary, and the National Police is impressive and far reaching. You can read a full Chiefs’ Council. tribute on page 18.

On behalf of forces in England and Wales, we established a new My thanks to Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney service in March 2020 administering fixed penalty notices issued and Police & Crime Commissioner under public health and travel regulations. Michael Lane for the ongoing support of Hampshire Constabulary. Normally, this would take months, if not years. ACRO set up a complete system within weeks.

Our work in this area typifies everything we aim to be: a policing capability that goes above and beyond, working across government and law enforcement, and supporting forces to deliver.

4 ACRO Annual Report | 2019/20 SAFER COMMUNITIES IN THE UK AND ACROSS THE WORLD

Agreement with Albania secures conviction history in time for sentencing In May 2019 a man received more than eight years’ imprisonment for drug offences after ACRO obtained his previous convictions from Albania. Case study The man was arrested in the UK for drug offences within an organised crime group.

Thanks to our agreement with Albania, we provided details of his convictions for forgery and illegal immigration to the police in time for sentencing.

The information was included within his substantial offending history and taken into consideration by the judge when passing his sentence.

Our agreement with Albania prevents offenders from escaping their criminal past.

It also supports UK police to disrupt international criminality and reduce the threat of harm to the public.

Convicted murderer deported from the UK following arrest for drink-driving A request for his previous convictions in Romania revealed that he had been sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment for murder. Case study

ACRO referred his case to for deportation consideration in April 2019.

He was convicted of the drink-driving offence in October 2019, served with a deportation notice and removed from the UK in November 2019.

His conviction history is now on the PNC and markers are available at the border should he try and re-enter the UK.

Preventing criminals from hiding their overseas offending history In December 2019 ACRO worked with authorities in Australia and Ireland to remove a man from Australia who had tampered with his Police Certificate in an Case study attempt to gain residency.

ACRO confirmed that his Police Certificate had been tampered with and advised that his impending prosecutions for offences including hijacking and arson had been removed.

The Australian authorities are now working with the Police Service of Northern Ireland to seek his extradition back to Northern Ireland.

ACRO Annual Report | 2019/20 5 CHANGING DEMANDS

The demand for our services varies from year to year. Changes in demand are illustrated here with brief analysis of our key services.

Change in demand 2018/19 to 2019/20 Police Certificate applications

Requests in 21% 20,000 2019/20

2018/19 Deportation certificates 19% 15,000 Sex offender records managed 17%

PNC updates 17% 10,000 Record deletion applications 15%

ASN creations 7% Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar

UKVI certificates 4% ICPC applications Police-only requests out 1%

2,500 2019/20 Requests out 0% 2018/19 2,000 -2% Subject access requests

-3% ICPC applications 1,500

-6% Notifications out 1,000

-6% Police Certificates applications

-14% BRC requests Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar

-17% PNC name enquiry checks Volumes for both Police Certificates and ICPCs were as expected for 2019/20 until the last quarter. The impact of covid-19 saw a dramatic downturn in applications, resulting in a decrease in March of -21% Notifications in 26% for Police Certificates and 41% for ICPCs.

6 ACRO Annual Report | 2019/20 Requests for overseas criminal convictions Requests from overseas for UK criminal convictions requests out requests in

32,699 2019/20 149,238 2019/20

2018/19 149,521 2018/19 27,066

2017/18 134,543 2017/18 19,108

0 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000

Total EU Non-EU Total Via EU frameworkVia Interpol channels (non-EU)

We processed 43,421 requests to non-EU countries. This is the highest number of Requests in from EU countries reached a record number with 30,876 requests requests out sent to non-EU countries and is a result of closer co-operation with received from Member States. The increase is a result of greater uptake by countries such as Australia and Albania to increase the rate of successful requests individuals making a request for their own information as well as an increase in for conviction information. the number of requests made under EU Directive 93 for subjects who want to work in regulated activity with children. See ‘Lead in the field’ on page 12.

Notifications received about UK nationals convicted overseas Notifications sent about foreign nationals convicted in the UK notifications in notifications out

2019/20 14,500 2019/20 33,760

2018/19 18,257 2018/19 35,986

2017/18 11,446 2017/18 37,999

0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000

Total EU Non-EU Total EU Non-EU

Notifications in from non-EU countries increased by 40%. At 1,994 this is also Notifications out decreased from both EU (-6%) and non-EU (-8%) countries. a record number and a result of closer working with our priority countries to This is thought to be a result of covid-19 and the reduction in court procedures. improve conviction exchange.

For a list of common abbreviations and a summary of our services, See ‘Lead in the field’ on page 12. see our website.

ACRO Annual Report | 2019/20 7 EFFECTIVE AND RESPONSIBLE

Reducing the risk posed Protecting children from serious harm by sex offenders ACRO brought together police and partner agencies to keep track of a convicted sex offender on As of 31st March 2020 ACRO was responsible for the his return to the UK. records of 1,980 sex offenders, an increase of 17% on last year. We obtained his details as he was due to be deported from France, created a ViSOR record and informed the relevant police force.

We created more than 600 sex offender records Case study and transferred 134 to UK police forces for local A UK national, he’d been convicted of serious sex offences, meaning he’d be subject to sex offender management. offender management.

Our process ensures that people who have been He was deemed a high risk to children and the vulnerable, and as he had lived in France for over 30 convicted of sex offences overseas are not able to years with no apparent links in the UK, there was concern that he would disappear upon his return. travel back into the UK without their offending history being appropriately risk-assessed and managed. Working with partner agencies, we ensured he was met at the port by officers so safeguarding measures could be put in place immediately.

ACRO helped reduce the risk of him re-offending and the potential harm he poses to the community. Safer communities in the UK

Ensuring UK police forces and law enforcement Supporting law enforcement and criminal justice agencies have access to important information: We signed three new information sharing agreements with non-police agencies in the UK to • 2,322 offences were added to the PNC PNC names enquiry checks; provide PNC services. regarding UK nationals convicted overseas a decrease of 17% due to a of a violent or sexual offence. streamlined process, which We now have 56 agreements in place and we’re 44,532 removed duplicate requests and • 12,207 offences were added to the PNC engaging with another 50 agencies in relation to made the service more efficient. regarding foreign nationals convicted overseas setting up new ones. for offences that met the Home Office Serious Offence List criteria. These are crucial to public safety and security • 4,136 offences were added to the PNC because they allow us to keep the PNC up-to- regarding people with a British passport date with information that could assist police and ASNs created on the PNC; convicted of offences in Caribbean countries prosecuting agencies in the future. an increase of 7%, detailing and British Overseas Territories. 1,296 3,639 offences in relation to The agreements permit the use of PNC checks for prosecutions by non-police For a list of common abbreviations and a authorised purposes such as child protection, or to agencies in the UK. summary of our services, see our website. create conviction records on the PNC.

8 ACRO Annual Report | 2019/20 Public access to information Responsible information We upheld our mission to provide responsible management information services, managing more than ACRO recorded 644 data breaches, accounting for 0.1% 192,000 requests from the public for access to of the 592,074 transactions across all business areas. Case study their information. All were risk-assessed: 607 were rated as low-risk and 37 We processed: as medium-risk. No breaches were rated as high-risk. • 139,093 Police Certificate applications Convicted rapist deported from • 12,746 ICPC applications Of the 644 data breaches, we referred nine amber breaches the UK based on the strength of • 38,820 subject access requests to the Information Commissioner’s Office. To date, we have not been required to take any further action, which is his overseas conviction history Our Customer Services team handled more than evidence of the robust processes we have in place. The man, who came to police notice in the UK for 60,000 phone calls. theft, and failing to surrender to custody, We take our responsibility towards information management was arrested in October 2019 and deported the We received 2,242 requests from the public to have seriously. We ensure that breaches are handled properly and following month. their criminal records deleted, an increase of 15% in accordance with our ICO-approved action plan. from last year. ACRO obtained his conviction history from We launched a new tool for our staff to record data Romania. It contained serious offences including We co-ordinate this process on behalf of police forces breaches, which has streamlined and simplified the reporting rape, kidnap and indecent assault. We referred his throughout England and Wales. 1,775 requests were process, while ensuring that breaches are recorded with case to Home Office Immigration Enforcement to sent to the relevant police force for review: sufficient and accurate information. be considered for deportation. • 682 were approved We shared learning across the organisation to reflect on • 634 were part-approved Working together with partner agencies ensured breaches, improve data protection and reduce the risk of • 27 were rejected that the case was dealt with swiftly and effectively. future breaches within ACRO. The man was deported and information was The rest were outstanding as at 31st March 2020. shared with border team should he try and re- enter the UK.

Protecting our borders We were notified of 1,893 cases regarding individuals wanted overseas to stand trial or serve UKVI certificates detailing Deportation certificates prison sentences. conviction histories of detailing conviction histories 3,015 foreign nationals applying to 140 of people removed from We assisted extradition proceedings by obtaining return to the UK, which are the UK to either Australia, their overseas criminal conviction information and used to help visa decisions. Jamaica or South America. updating the PNC with offences that met the Home Office Serious Offence List criteria.

ACRO Annual Report | 2019/20 9 DEVELOP, EXPAND AND PROMOTE

Helping frontline officers maintain A UK national arrested in the UK in September Colin Bell, COBIS Chief Executive said: “COBIS is 2019 for assault was found to have multiple committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare safer communities convictions in the USA for sexual assault, of children, young people and adults. ACRO is working hard to significantly improve domestic assault and violent offences. conviction exchange outside of the EU by improving “We are pleased to be able to work with ACRO to turnaround times and response rates. A woman arrested in the UK for assaulting a encourage all international schools to follow best constable was found to have convictions in practice in safer recruitment. We have worked with more than 40 countries so far, South Korea for 14 offences including which means it is now quicker and more effective with violence, criminal damage and violation “The ICPC is an invaluable resource for schools” for officers to get access to non-EU conviction of aviation security. We obtained the response information to support criminal proceedings and inform from South Korea in December 2019. Since the ICPC was launched in 2012, ACRO risk assessments. has supplied more than 60,000 certificates to In each case, the response was sent to the relevant organisations across the world. They are used by over The time it takes to obtain a request response from UK police force to make informed risk-assessments 1,600 registered organisations in 89 countries globally. New Zealand reduced from 93 days to just 9, with a and implement safeguarding measures as appropriate. steady response rate of 92%. The PNC was updated with conviction details to Response rates from Thailand improved from 11% to ensure police have up-to-date information should the 94% while the rate for Mozambique improved from subjects come to notice again. 31% to 75%. Working in partnership We enhanced our knowledge and understanding of these countries’ processes, which we have fed back ACRO and the Council of British International Schools to officers to manage expectations and improve the (COBIS) embarked on a three-year partnership to quality of requests for conviction information. improve safeguarding internationally.

The following case studies demonstrate the Working together, the partnership will highlight the importance of requesting overseas conviction importance and value of the International Child information and the benefit of improving our request Protection Certificate (ICPC). service with non-EU countries: A crucial tool for global safeguarding, ICPCs A man arrested in June 2019 for kidnap in empower employers around the world to make the UK was identified as a convicted violent informed decisions on a person’s suitability to work offender and a suspect in a fatal shooting with children. in Bermuda. As the founding Global ICPC Ambassador, COBIS will use their extensive international network to raise the ACRO Senior Manager Karen Progl with COBIS Chief profile of the ICPC to British international schools. Executive Colin Bell and Deputy CEO Dr Fiona Rogers

10 ACRO Annual Report | 2019/20 • ACRO attended the 34th Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) Annual Conference where information sharing agreements were re-signed and good progress was made for the pan-Caribbean criminal records project CariSecure.

• Chief Constable and NPCC national lead on crime, Andy Cooke visited ACRO in October: “It’s not until you visit that you realise how important ACRO is and how much work it saves police forces, having this centralised, specialist approach.”

• We hosted our annual FNO conference in October. The then Head Delegates at the ACCP Annual Conference Chief Constable Andy Cooke (centre left) of the International Crime Coordination Centre Superintendent Jerry during his visit to ACRO Pearson presented one of the sessions: “Responding to foreign national offending is not a niche business area.”

• Martin Hewitt and Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney visited ACRO to find out more about our work for safer communities in the UK and across the world.

• Superintendent Jacqueline Vanterpool, the first female superintendent of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, visited ACRO in February while in the UK for a Strategic Command Course.

• ACRO attended the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) and NPCC Partnership Summit in February to discuss Superintendent Jacqueline Vanterpool ACRO’s role in safer communities with colleagues from across Martin Hewitt (left) and Chief Constable Olivia (centre) during her visit to ACRO law enforcement. Pinkney (right) during their visit to ACRO

• City of London Commissioner Ian Dyson visited ACRO in February to discuss the challenges around information management.

• DS Peter Goulston from Cumbria Police visited ACRO in February to find more about our international work: “It’s been useful to get a better understanding of ACRO’s work and challenges around sharing conviction information.”

Commissioner Ian Dyson (left) during his Chief Constable Andy Marsh (right) at our stand visit to ACRO at the APCC & NPCC Partnership Summit

ACRO Annual Report | 2019/20 11 LEAD IN THE FIELD Closing the gap in global From paper mountain Leading the policing response to safeguarding to digital system international criminality ACRO has been leading the way in developing global We completed a six-year project to transform criminal ACRO’s annual Foreign National Offending (FNO) child safeguarding measures since the launch of records in Jamaica, which has significantly improved the conference is one element of our continued drive ICPCs in 2012. process of obtaining Jamaican conviction information. to support police and partner agencies in tackling international crime and offending. The certificates were created to fill a very specific ACRO worked with the Jamaican Constabulary Force gap, i.e. to provide criminal history checks to and British High Commission in Jamaica to introduce Focused on multi-agency collaboration, ACRO invited people applying to work with children in overseas the electronic system, which reduced the average national agencies including HM Prison and Probation organisations where the employment decision is made turnaround time by 91 days to just five. Service, Immigration Enforcement, and the NCA, to outside the UK. share experience, best practise and expertise in the In the words of McArthur Sutherland, the Jamaica ongoing challenges in disrupting international criminality. A report published in January 2020 by the Assistant Commissioner of Police: Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse identified Around 100 colleagues attended, which provided an further gaps in global safeguarding capacity and made “The digital system allows us to have rapid access to opportunity to discuss these challenges and to see how wide-ranging recommendations for reform. data, identify offenders and operate in a more secure effective joint-working can be in combating the threat data-driven environment. posed by transnational offenders. ACRO CEO Rob Price gave evidence to the inquiry. Commenting in light of the report, he said: “There are “Turnaround times for requested data are quicker and In addition to the conference, we shared information indeed significant challenges in sharing conviction our officers are more motivated as it speeds up the and guidance in relation to obtaining overseas criminal information internationally. processes, including cross-border investigations in line record information within our regular FNO bulletin and with a more collaborative international environment.” our Knowledge Hub community. “The solutions will be complex and will require global co-operation and capacity building.

“ACRO is doing everything it can with the tools at our Streamlining electronic processes disposal to play our part, lending our expertise and knowledge to help develop such solutions. ACRO has continued to streamline the processes involved in requesting overseas conviction information to reduce the burden on frontline officers. “We support the recommendations and look forward to working collaboratively to rise to the challenges.” 18 forces are now using an automated spreadsheet solution, which allows forces to make bulk requests to ACRO when foreign nationals are arrested.

See the News section on our website for An additional 18 forces are now successfully using the ACRO Request Tool, which makes the process of ACRO’s response in full. requesting checks much faster. ACRO continued work to communicate directly with force case and custody systems to streamline the process of requesting checks. This work will continue into next year.

12 ACRO Annual Report | 2019/20 Sharing our expertise Safer communities overseas Improving international conviction ACRO provided continued support and expertise to Project Soteria exchange policing portfolios at both regional and national levels: ACRO maintained support for the five-year project We continued to share our knowledge and skill with designed to tackle sexual abuse in the aid sector. international law enforcement partners within our • We led a review to establish a retention priority countries to enhance the exchange of criminal and disposal policy for the PNC on behalf We provided knowledge and expertise gained in the records information. of Commissioner Ian Dyson and the delivery of similar products and services to help bridge Information Management and Operational the gap between the aid sector and law enforcement. • We helped develop and implement conviction Requirements Co-ordination Committee. information sharing in Serbia and Montenegro The review is ongoing and sits within the The project, which joins ACRO with Interpol, the UK’s to combat serious and organised crime in the NPCC Records Management portfolio. Department for International Development and Save Western Balkans. The Children will ensure that vulnerable adults and • We represented ACRO at regular NPCC PNC children across the world are not subjected to abuse portfolio meetings, feeding into discussions to • We hosted a visit from the Department of Prisons or exploitation. deliver improvements in police and criminal justice in Albania, which enhanced the relationship processes, and ensure operational and technical between the UK and Albanian authorities, and Bermuda Police Service changes are applied consistently. streamline conviction exchange between the We seconded two members of staff to the Bermuda two countries. • We represented ACRO at meetings in relation to Police Service in February 2020 to assist with the following NPCC portfolios: Data Protection the migration of paper records. The secondment • Eight vitally important agreements were re-signed and FOI, Records Management, Disclosure, was cut-short due to covid-19, but within two with British Overseas Territories and Caribbean and LEDS. weeks we created 386 electronic records, detailing countries, which set out a process to exchange 1,795 offences. conviction details. They allow police around the Child sex offender deported world access to up-to-date criminal conviction Europol from the UK information when managing offenders and We continued our secondment programme with keeping communities safe from harm. Europol. This has strengthened our relationship and ACRO was informed of a child sex offender helped us prevent offenders from hiding their overseas who had been advertising services as a • We supported the Home Office with the Law conviction history. teacher, specifically aimed towards children. Enforcement Policy and Strategy Group, which

Case study hosted representatives from Australia, New A UK national who applied for a Police The man, who originated from Hungary Zealand, Canada and the USA to discuss law Certificate to travel to Australia, disputed his had been convicted of the offences in enforcement and information sharing. previous convictions from Spain. Using our New Zealand and was thought to be living connections through Europol we were able to in the UK. • Almost 600 historical notifications regarding UK prove the convictions were his. nationals convicted in the US were added to the ACRO liaised with police to put safeguarding PNC following the creation of a bespoke process. We informed the Australian authorities and as measures in place and he was deported in a result his visa application was denied. This March 2019. • ACRO was successfully awarded funding from the demonstrates how Police Certificates help government to assist the UN in the development protect international borders. His conviction history is now on the PNC of a digitalised crime reporting system for the and markers are available at the border Caribbean. This work will continue into 2020/21 should he try and re-enter the UK. and will be reported on next year.

ACRO Annual Report | 2019/20 13 VALUE FOR MONEY

Providing an excellent return on Planning ahead International Child investment Our business model has proven extremely beneficial Protection Certificates For every £1 received from the police over the last five to policing over the last decade, and has enabled Total annual income for ICPC was £0.9m against years, ACRO has returned services worth £2.99. ACRO to provide a significant return on investment an expenditure of £1m. This reduced the closing to forces. reserves to £0.3m, which is allocated to posts with ACRO provided policing and law enforcement services our partners in the NCA. totalling £7.9m, more than four times the £1.8m funding We increased the price of Police Certificates in received from police forces. January 2020 to support our funding model and In January 2020 the price of the certificate was ensure the price was protected against future increased to ensure the costs of producing Our funding model is based on the principle of using increases in operating costs. the certificate were fully recovered, to provide income from Police Certificates to reduce the financial resilience against future cost increases, and to burden on frontline policing. However, the impact of covid-19 on international ensure the long-term viability of providing this key travel resulted in a decrease in demand for Police safeguarding product. The operational cost of Police Certificates was £3.8m, Certificates, which means we are now working which returned an income of £9.3m. to restructure our business model to make the organisation sustainable and ensure we can continue For a list of common abbreviations and a The £5.5m surplus was reinvested into the services we to provide excellent value for money. summary of our services, see our website. provide on behalf of policing and law enforcement to continue our commitment to safer communities in the This includes identifying and pursuing new income UK and across the world. streams to ensure resources remain effectively utilised. We will report on this next year. International criminal conviction exchange forms the majority of our policing and law enforcement services, A surety of £4m is lodged with the Police & Crime which operated at a cost of £6.6m. Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to mitigate the risk of ACRO not being able to meet its At £9.7m, employee expenditure remained our current and future liabilities. biggest single cost, though it was £0.2m less than last year’s figure. Note: PNC charges increased by £0.2m to £0.7m, because ACRO is deemed to be an ‘arm’s length’ organisation. Premises expenditure was £1.4m, an increase of £0.4 m, which is the result of expanding our ACRO’s international development work with Western Balkan countries and Jamaica this year was funded by the estate to enhance our business continuity and government on a cost-recovery basis. contingency options. ACRO received £1.6m to plan for and maintain operational readiness as the UK prepares to leave the EU. The difference between income and operating costs left ACRO continued to support other national police units including NaVCIS, the NWCU and the NPFDU, also on a cost- us with a year-end deficit of £0.8m, which was offset by recovery basis. the reserves reducing them to £2.6m.

14 ACRO Annual Report | 2019/20 Income

Police Certificates £9.3m Total Income Police service funding £1.8m

£12m PNC Services £0.7m

Other £0.2m

For every £1 received from the police over the last five Expenditure years, ACRO has returned services worth £2.99. Police Certificate £3.8m Subject access £0.9m Total International Services £6.6m Back record conversion £0.3m Expenditure PNC Services £0.8m Other £0.4m £12.8m ACRO provided policing and law enforcement services totalling £7.9m, more than four times the £1.8m funding received from police forces. Expenditure by expense type

Employee £9.7m Supplies and services £1.3m

Total IT £0.5m Third party payments £1.3m Expenditure £12.8m Premises £1.4m Travel and transport £0.1m

Support services recoveries -£1.5m

ACRO Annual Report | 2019/20 15 LOOKING AFTER OUR PEOPLE Wellbeing and inclusion ACRO’s greatest asset is its workforce. We want colleagues to feel engaged and proud to work for A thousand thank yous Development opportunities ACRO, recognised and valued for their work, with opportunities to lead and develop. We are proud of the loyalty and dedication of our staff. Five members of staff completed Hampshire 33 colleagues were awarded a certificate for achieving Constabulary’s development programme for aspiring Ours is an inclusive culture; we support each other the significant milestone of 10 years’ service at ACRO. managers. Three went on to achieve promotions. and promote wellbeing to create a happy and healthy work environment. We also recognised 60 staff for their performance by Staff secondments were supported for a number of way of a letter or certificate. roles both nationally and internationally. We offered the following activities:

Our peer-to-peer thank you cards proved to be a hit Free health check-up • Stress and resilience workshops with staff as more than 1,000 thank you cards were given to colleagues, by colleagues. More than two thirds of staff took the opportunity to • ‘Speak your mind’ campaign for World Mental have their health checked. Feedback included: Health Day Staff talks • Staff support network marketplace for National “It is great to feel valued by your employer and be Inclusion Week Bea and Hu Jones, whose daughter Moira was killed given a free health screening.” by a Slovakian national, visited ACRO to find out how • Staff-funded lunchtime yoga sessions we keep communities safe and to share their story “This has been a great opportunity for me to focus with staff. on my health and to see if I need to make any Inspector Julie Rawsthorne, National Police Wellbeing lifestyle changes.” Service lead visited ACRO as part of a tour to assess Read more about Bea and Hu’s story on the wellbeing provisions across forces. She commented: News section of our website. Following the checks, ACRO has continued to support staff by offering: “I’m really impressed with your facilities for staff wellbeing. Your wellbeing room is great. I can see a lot • mental health training for line managers and of thought has gone into it.” newly-trained wellbeing champions • staff talks on the menopause, sleep, and managing finances • maps showing local walking routes to encourage staff to exercise Bea and Hu Jones (centre) during their visit to ACRO We ran a staff awareness and learning event focused Supporting local communities on safeguarding, which featured talks on: We raised £4,500 for three local charities during • The Breck Foundation – the dangers of staff-led fundraising events. online grooming • Child sexual and criminal exploitation Inspector Julie Rawsthorne (centre) during her visit • Domestic abuse to ACRO

16 ACRO Annual Report | 2019/20 st ACRO WORKFORCE PROFILE | 31 March 2020 Headcount 349 Age

Gender Female: 72% 65 & over 8

Male: 28% % 55 - 64 61

45 - 54 75

35 -44 92

25 - 34 99

16 - 24 14 Disability Not disabled/unknown: 90% % Disabled: 10% 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 Ethnicity

White British 316

White other 13

BAME 11 Work pattern Full time: 66% % Part time: 34% No data 6 Prefer not to say 3

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

ACRO Annual Report | 2019/20 17 REMEMBERING IAN READHEAD

Ian Readhead OBE QPM 18th February 1955 – 17th June 2020

Ian Readhead was the heart and soul Shortly before retiring from ACRO of ACRO Criminal Records Office. in 2017, Ian fulfilled a decade-long ambition to sign an agreement with He served as an officer within the FBI and formalise the exchange of Hampshire Constabulary for almost conviction data between the UK and four decades. After retiring as Deputy the United States. Chief Constable, Ian was appointed as ACRO’s first Chief Executive in 2008. Ian always said ACRO’s staff were its number-one asset, and he would often During his time at the helm, Ian saw preside over leaving presentations, ACRO grow from a small unit in a cake-baking contests, and award portable cabin in the south of England ceremonies. He had a way of making to a thriving national police organisation his team feel special. with a significant international profile. Ian passed away in June 2020. He will If ever one man typified all it meant to be forever missed. His legacy lives on be ACRO, to be single-minded about in everything we do. tackling crime and protecting people, it was Ian. In everything he did he wanted to know how it would help us bring offenders to justice and keep communities safe.

Whether it was signing an MOU with the United Arab Emirates, working with senior officers in Pakistan and the Caribbean, liaising with global ambassadors, or speaking to the media, Ian was always happy to lead on the discussions and negotiate the best outcomes for safer communities.

18 ACRO Annual Report | 2019/20 WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ACRO

Our visit to ACRO was a real pleasure. We appreciated so much the warm welcome we were given by everyone and there was a very ACRO’s collaboration with the Jamaican Constabulary Fund is just as much about safer communities here special atmosphere throughout which spoke in the UK, as it is about international policing. of caring as well as efficiency and this was very reassuring. “The ability of my officers on the streets of , for instance, to check a person’s criminal conviction history and get that information back in a timely manner is crucial. Bea Jones, The Moira Fund “ACRO’s work in improving response times with Jamaica is undoubtedly helping us better manage threat and reduce risk and harm.

Chief Constable Andy Marsh QPM of and Police At the ACRO FNO conference today #acrofno2019, great to see such a wide range of agencies represented and on the panel including #HMPPS. National Probation Service – Oxon and Bucks Excellent visit to an essential unit for Policing. Working together to keep UK citizens safe and providing a Thank you so much for passing professional and efficient service to government and law on the decision. I am so relieved enforcement. #OneTeam that the record has now been deleted and grateful that my Chief Constable Andy Cooke of application was prioritised.

Your department’s continued support throughout this whole Thanks for passing this Thank you for taking the process has been beyond on and thanks for all time, for looking into this exceptional and your chasing your help, the advice and properly and for finding Fundamentally, we are all about keeping on my behalf has made all the guidance from ACRO has a solution. people safe and for me one of the main ways difference - thank you, thank you, been really helpful. You Member of the public that we do that is by protecting the vulnerable thank you... you are truly amazing! guys are doing a great job. and managing those that we know or believe Member of the public Member of the public to be dangerous. Martin Hewitt, Chair of the NPCC

ACRO Annual Report | 2019/20 19 ACRO, PO Box 481, Fareham, Hampshire, PO14 9FS [email protected] +44(0)1489 569800

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Read this report online at acro.police.uk