Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department took to protect witnesses during the Operation Sacristy investigation into corruption allegations at Cleveland Police Authority.

We do not comment on operational decisions by forces investigating crime and therefore cannot provide specific detail on this operation. The management of witnesses during any investigation by a law enforcement agency should be compliant with the Victims Code (2015) and Witness Charter (2013), this ensures a minimum level of service to all victims and witnesses.

Where intimidation is identified, measures can be taken in accordance with the Victims’ Code and Witness Charter to mitigate risk. Where the risk to a victim or witness is deemed serious and ongoing, management may be provided by the UK Protected Persons Service (UKPPS). The UKPPS can neither confirm nor deny individuals as protected persons to preserve their anonymity and safety.

Operational decisions in relation to the retention of evidence by law enforcement agencies is governed by the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996.