HC Deb 20 July 1993 vol 229 c137W
Mr. John Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up a central register to record cautions; and what is his policy on multiple cautions and cautions for second or further offences.

Mr. Charles Wardle

It is planned that details of those who are cautioned in respect of reportable offences will be recorded on the police national computer from the second half of 1994. Whilst policy on cautioning does not preclude the issue of more than one caution to an offender where this is warranted by the circumstances of a particular case.

Home Office guidance reminds chief officers that repeated use of cautions may undermine the credibility of the police and ultimately of the law.