Fury over 'chilling' police plans to keep the names of suspects charged with ... trends now

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Police faced fury yesterday over 'draconian' plans to allow forces to keep secret the names of suspects charged with crimes in 'chilling' new guidance.

Forces across England and Wales are to be given the option of not releasing the identity of those charged with criminal offences, instead naming only on a 'case-by-case basis'.

In College of Policing draft guidance, forces are advised they 'should be more inclined' to name suspects 'where the crime is of a serious nature' such as rape or murder or where it has already been reported or on social media. This raises the prospect that crimes not already in the public domain will remain secret.

Existing guidance which states all defendants 'should be named' is to be replaced with advice saying 'those charged with an offence can be named at the point of charge'.

But journalists have warned the proposals will 'usher in a new chilling era of secret justice' by allowing forces to cherry pick which cases face public scrutiny. 

Under the draft guidance, out for consultation, it says: 'In some instances, it may not be appropriate to name those charged, for example where there is an exceptional and legitimate policing purpose for not doing so.' It goes on to advise police other criminal sanctions should also not be disclosed.

 The document says: 'Identities of people dealt with by cautions, speeding fines and other fixed penalties – out-of-court disposals – should not be released or confirmed.

'Forces should say that 'a man' or 'a woman' has been dealt with and only release general details of the offence.'

The changes come in the wake of the Nicola Bulley investigation when Lancashire Police

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