Deletion of custody images
Custody images are a standard feature of everyday policing.
In February 2017, the government commissioned a review into the use and retention of these images. The outcome gave individuals the facility to apply to chief officers to have their custody image deleted.
If you would like to find out more about the review please read the HM Government’s Review of the Use and Retention of Custody Images report.
Who can apply to have their custody image deleted?
There are a number of factors around who can apply for removal and when they can. Please read the below thoroughly before making an application.
Group 1 offences – these are offences concerning public protection issues
Group 2 offences – these are other sexual, violent or serious offences
Group 3 offences – All other offences.
If you were:
Convicted of a Group 1 or 2 offence (at any age), you can make an application:
- ten years after conviction (or release from custody if sentenced to a term of imprisonment or detention).
Note: A suspended sentence is treated the same way as an immediate term of imprisonment.
If your application is declined you may reapply after a further ten years have elapsed.
Convicted of a Group 3 recordable offence (at any age) you can make an application:
- six years after conviction (or release from custody if sentenced to a term of imprisonment or detention)
Note: A suspended sentence is treated the same way as an immediate term of imprisonment.
If your application is declined you may reapply after a further five years have elapsed.
Convicted of a non-recordable offence (at any age) you can make an applications:
- six years after conviction
If your application is declined you may reapply after a further five years have elapsed.
Arrested for, but not convicted of, any offence whether recordable or non-recordable (at any age) you can make an application:
- after the conclusion of proceedings
If your application is declined you may reapply once the next relevant scheduled review period has been carried out or after 12 months (whichever is sooner).
Make an application
If you would like to make an application to have your custody image removed from police systems, please email us with the below detail. If the below is not included in your application it cannot be progressed.
Average completion time: four minutes