APCC Guidance: The Strategic Policing Requirements

Overview

This guidance has been developed by the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) to assist Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in understanding and adhering to the statutory requirements of the Strategic Policing Requirement (SPR). It aims to enhance accountability and transparency regarding the duty to have regard to the SPR, providing an overview of its content and how PCCs can fulfill their statutory obligations.

Key themes

• Statutory Duty: PCCs must have regard to the SPR when issuing or amending their Police and Crime Plans and provide an assurance statement within their Annual Reports.
• National Threats: The SPR outlines key national threats, requiring cross-boundary policing responses beyond local force areas.
• Balancing Local and National Priorities: PCCs must align their local policing priorities with national security and public safety requirements.
• Governance and Accountability: The SPR strengthens oversight by setting expectations on how PCCs and Chief Constables should collaborate to meet national policing responsibilities.
• Evolution of the SPR: The SPR 2023 revision includes an additional national threat—Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)—and expanded guidance on governance, standards, and capacity requirements.

Highlighted requirements

• PCCs’ Responsibilities: PCCs must ensure their Police and Crime Plans reflect the SPR and assess whether their force has the necessary resources to meet national policing demands.
• Annual Reports: PCCs must provide assurance statements outlining how they have had regard to the SPR and its influence on their strategic direction.
• Holding Chief Constables to Account: PCCs must scrutinize how Chief Constables implement SPR obligations and maintain operational readiness.
• National Collaboration: PCCs work with the Home Office, National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), and other agencies to ensure policing is prepared for national-level threats.

National Threats Covered in the SPR

• Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) – Recognized as a national threat requiring a strategic policing response.
• Terrorism – Forces must be prepared to prevent and respond to terrorist threats.
• Serious and Organised Crime (SOC) – Includes drugs, fraud, and organised immigration crime.
• National Cyber Incidents – Forces must have cybercrime units and resilience plans.
• Child Sexual Abuse – Strengthened approaches to safeguarding and prosecution.
• Public Disorder – Maintaining national mobilization capabilities.
• Civil Emergencies – Ensuring resilience to large-scale emergencies and natural disasters.

Impact and outcomes

• PCCs have strengthened governance mechanisms to align with the latest SPR guidance.
• Forces are adapting operational plans to address new and evolving national threats.
• The introduction of VAWG as a national priority has enhanced cross-agency collaboration and enforcement measures.
• Enhanced accountability and transparency in how forces implement national policing responsibilities.