§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times last year police officers from(a) the Metropolitan and (b) Sussex police force areas accompanied social workers to addresses of abusive and intimidating parents and guardians of children deemed at risk. [100486]
§ Mr. DenhamThis information is not collected centrally, or by the Metropolitan and Sussex police forces.
The standard operating procedure in the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Child Protection Group is that in cases where there are criminal allegations, social workers will be accompanied by the police. There may be other instances where, although no criminal allegations have been made, a risk assessment will be conducted to determine whether the presence of the police is necessary.
In 2002, Sussex Police received 3,783 referrals of possible child abuse. In the overwhelming majority of cases of this kind, Sussex Police carry out joint visits to the child's home with the relevant social worker. This is irrespective of whether the allegation is made against the parent/carer or whether the parent/carer is believed to be aggressive or intimidating. Given that this is the normal 1217W practice, Sussex Police do not keep separate records of joint visits or quantitative information about intimidating parents.