Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance and resources are provided to police forces on identifying, preserving and using publicly available social media content as (i) intelligence and (ii) evidence of suspected (a) vehicle theft, (b) dangerous driving and (c) other serious criminal behaviour.

Police forces have statutory powers, supported by guidance, to obtain and preserve data, including social media content. These include the online information powers under the Crime and Policing Act 2026 once commenced, powers under the Investigatory Powers Act 2026, and other mechanisms such as bilaterial agreements and mutual legal assistance.