Operational partnerships - Managing public sex environments (O21)

1. Summary of changes

1.1 The following changes have been made to this policy in January 2022:

• policy reviewed - no amendments to content made

2. What this policy is about

2.1 This policy focuses on the management and effective policing of public sex environments.

Compliance with this policy and any linked SOPs is mandatory. 

3. Statement of policy

3.1 To improve our effectiveness and the quality of service provided by the police service when policing public sex environments and to ensure that Kent Police have a consistent, well managed, proportionate and professional approach to public sex environments. The policy and standard operating procedure (SOP) are designed that no section of society are disproportionately affected.

4. Implications of the policy

4.1 Finance/staffing/other

4.1.1. Staff awareness of existence of the new policy.

4.2. Risk assessment

4.2.1. This policy has been assessed as medium risk. Elements of risk have been included in the SOP and are also considered within health and safety of the EIA.

4.3. Equality Impact Assessment (EIA)

4.3.1. This policy has been graded as having a high potential impact and an EIA has been completed.

5. Consultation

• Independent Police Advisory Group (IPAG)
• Independent Critical Incident Advisors (ICIA)
• Community Liaison Officers (CLOs)
• All Kent Staff Support Associations
• Unison
• Federation
• Equality Champions
• Equality and Diversity Co-ordinator (Kent Police and Essex Police).
• Human Resources
• IT Security
• Freedom of Information
• Health and Safety
• Legal

6. Monitoring and review

6.1. This policy will be reviewed every two years by the policy owner with the next review scheduled for January 2024. Monitoring of community impact will be undertaken by Community Liaison Officers.

7. Other sources

• Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Section 71)

8. Security

8.1. Kent Police have measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management policy.

9. Retention and disposal of records

9.1. Kent Police will hold data in accordance with our Records Review, Retention and Disposal policy.