Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State of 2 March 2023, Official Report, column 950, whether all domestic and sexual violence offenders are considered to pose a high risk of harm; and whether she is taking steps to ensure that convicted perpetrators of domestic and sexual abuse cannot obtain a passport in a new name without the police being consulted.

The Government is determined to ensure the police and other agencies have the tools they need to manage the risk posed by domestic abusers and sex offenders; we are introducing new measures to strengthen protections for victims of these crimes.

Registered sex offenders must notify certain personal details (including their name and intended foreign travel) to the police annually and whenever those details change. Failure to comply is a criminal offence. Additionally, through Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and Sexual Risk Orders a court can place conditions on offenders that pose a risk of sexual harm.

On 20 February, the Home Secretary announced our intention to make offenders sentenced to 12 months or longer for controlling or coercive behaviour eligible for management under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements. Offenders eligible for MAPPA management are risk assessed and a risk management plan is put in place.

Through the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, we have introduced Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs). DAPOs will be able to impose any requirements the court considers necessary to protect an individual from domestic abuse. Those subject to an order will be required to notify their name and address to the police. DAPOs will be piloted for two years from Spring 2024.

The police may place ‘flags’ with HM Passport Office on offenders deemed to pose a risk to the public, so that if they attempt to change their passport details, the police will be consulted. Following an internal review into offender name changes, some immediate actions are being taken forward, including ensuring that law enforcement agencies are fully utilising existing monitoring tools and information sources, including those provided by HMPO.