National
Assembly for Wales / Cynulliad Cenedlaethol
Cymru
Health
and Social Care Committee /
Y Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol
Public Health (Wales) Bill/ Bil Iechyd y Cyhoedd (Cymru)
Evidence from the Police Liaison Unit – PHB 41 / Tystiolaeth gan Uned Gyswllt yr Heddlu – PHB 41
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Police Liaison Unit Welsh Government, Cathays Park |
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Protective Marking: |
NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED |
Author: |
Collated on behalf of the four Welsh Police forces by Helen Hill, Police Liaison Unit |
Title: |
Welsh Police response to Public Health (Wales) Bill |
Version: |
V1 |
Summary: |
The Public Health (Wales) Bill has been circulated to each of the four Welsh forces so they are aware of the new proposals laid out in the Bill. The forces anticipate that the legislation would not significantly increase the burden on the police service in Wales and is unlikely to have a major impact on police resources. Forces welcome the legislation regarding piercing of young people who a potentially vulnerable situation |
Authorised by: |
Ch Superintendent Alun Thomas XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX |
Date sent: |
1st September 2015 |
Sent to: |
SeneddHealth@Assembly.Wales |
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Health and Social Care Committee
Dear Health and Social Care committee,
The Public Health (Wales) Bill has been circulated to each of the four Welsh forces so they are aware of the new proposals laid out in the Bill. It is acknowledged that this Bill is primarily enforced by local authorities and forces envisage normal working relationships with local authority agencies to continue. The local authority(s) will remain the lead agency with police support. When confronted with an offence, police officers will be able to make local authority officers aware, as is the case now regarding current smoking legislation.
Since the original smoking ban there has been an increase in relation to noise complaints late at night from locations such as beer gardens or pavements outside pubs, however this legislation will not change this. The forces anticipate that the legislation would not significantly increase the burden on the police service in Wales and is unlikely to have a major impact on police resources.
Part Four of this Bill, looking at intimate piercing, recognises the requirement for police to work alongside local authority officials in investigations and additional engagement which will be required. During the creation of this Bill Detective Chief Inspector Steve Cockwell of Dyfed Powys Police was invited to speak with the WG Health Team to offer subject matter expertise on how the WG proposals would impact policing and to highlight to them public protection issues and police response/ responsibility which they had not previously considered. Where there are specific child protection concerns police would revert to offences contained within the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and other related legislation. This would also incorporate powers of arrest, entry and search that would more likely be used than the powers contained within this Bill.
Whilst none of the Sections within this Bill raise particular concerns for the police it has already been brought to the Welsh Governments attention that when adults have physical contact with young people’s intimate areas there are greater safeguarding concerns which the police will need to investigate. Det Insp Cockwell has been invited to assist with the writing of the Guidance for this Part of the Bill when it is enacted to ensure local authorities are aware of how and what needs to be reported to the police.
Whilst very few cases across Wales regarding piercing of children and young people (reports appeared to be mainly nipple piercing of older teenagers) have been reported to the police; it is welcomed by forces how the Bill seeks to avoid circumstances where children and young people are placed in a potentially vulnerable situation by prohibiting the piercing of a person under the age of 16.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the four Chief Constables of Wales.
Police Liaison Unit XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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