Crime and intelligence - Intensive supervision and surveillance policy (N02)

1. Summary of changes

1.1. This policy has been reviewed in November 2025 – minor terminology and process amendments.

2. What this policy is about

2.1. Intensive Supervision and Surveillance (ISS) is a mixture of penalty and positive opportunities, tailored to the individual and is available 365 days a year, providing the courts with a robust alternative to custody for young people. It is designed to offer support and structure to those that would otherwise end up in custody. It provides a programme of different levels of intensity and is tailored to the individual.

2.2. This policy provides details of the police responsibilities to support the local authority Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) that fund and run the ISS programme. It explains the actions required by police and where these responsibilities sit within the organisation.

Compliance with this policy and any linked procedure is mandatory.

3. Statement of policy

3.1. ISS is now a requirement of the Youth Rehabilitation Order (YRO) which places it on a statutory footing (Criminal Justice & Immigration Act 2008). It is a community alternative to custody for children and young people under the age of 18. There is one scheme covering both Kent & Medway YJS.

3.2. Kent Police are responsible for supporting the ‘surveillance’ aspect of ISS. Regular contact with those on ISS should be maintained. This is to support them whilst in the community and to challenge them upon the receipt of any reports or intelligence about their activities and their on-going criminal activity. Kent Police are required to work closely with our partners in the Local YJS and Early Help and Preventative Service Units to support the principle aim of the youth justice system, to prevent offending, and have a regard to the welfare of the child or young person.

4. Implications of policy

4.1 Finance/staffing/training/other

• Finance - The funding for the ISS scheme is provided by partner agencies, which Kent Police contribute towards on an annual basis. The funding provided by Kent Police is a requirement of the Crime & Disorder Act 1998.
• Staffing - No additional staffing is required. This work forms part of existing roles within Kent Police.
• Training - No additional training is required as all activities full within the existing roles.

4.2. Risk assessment
4.2.1. This policy has been assessed as low risk.

4.3. Equality Impact Assessment
4.3.1. This policy has been assessed with regard to its relevance to race and diversity equality. As a result of this assessment the policy has been graded as having a medium potential impact. 

5. Consultation

• Kent and Medway Youth Offending Teams
• Kent Early Help and Preventative Services
• HQ Investigative Standards Team
• Offender Management Unit/Community Safety Unit Lead
• Finance
• Human Resources
• Information Management
• Legal
• Freedom of Information
• Health and Safety

6. Monitoring and review

6.1. The Child Centred Policing Manager for the force will maintain contact with Local Authority ISS Management leads and will coordinate ISS requests. Reviews will be undertaken as per the review schedule. Additional reviews will be undertaken if and when there are changes to; the funding of this service, the service provider, internal changes to those deemed to be responsible for providing the police aspect of ISS and changes within legislation.

6.2. This policy will be reviewed every two years with the next review taking place in November 2027.

7. Other source documents

• Policy S14009 (Offences taken into Consideration)
• Policy N05 (Crime Recording)
• Data Protection Act 1998
• Human Rights Act
• Crime and Disorder Act 1998
• Section 1 (3)(a) and paragraph 3 of schedule 1 Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008.
• KCC Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Guidance

8. Security

8.1 Kent Police has measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management Policy (Policy W1000 – Information Management).

9. Retention and disposal of records

9.1 Kent Police will hold data in accordance with our Records review, retention and disposal policy (Policy W1012 - Records review, retention and disposal).