Recording of protected characteristics

Response

With regard to the recording of crime data relating to suspects, offenders, witnesses and victims, please provide:

1. Clarification of which of the following characteristics you record:
   a. Sex 

Gender is recorded on the person record. If the sex is different to the gender this can be recorded in a free text remarks field on the person record.

1. Gender

This is recorded on the person record in the Gender field

1. Gender identity

This is not recorded in a specific field. If the gender identity is different to the gender this can be recorded in a free text remarks field on the person record.

1. Gender reassignment

On a person record there is a field to record limited trans status data: Neutral, Trans man, Trans woman.

  

2. Include the definitions of the above categories at a-d currently used by your force.

 

We hold the following document within our intranet:

 

• Disclosure – Protected Characteristics Defined

 

This contains definitions of protected characteristics, based on the Equality Act 2010.

3. Provide your policy guidelines for the categories that you record.
4. Clarify on what basis the recording of sex is based. If based upon self definition by the person concerned only, please specify this. If any other factor applies, please specify this.
5. Provide a copy of any communication to your staff regarding the implementation and application of this policy/guidance.
6. With specific regard to the recording of crime data in relation to rape offences, specify on what basis the sex of the offender is recorded. For clarity, if recorded on the basis of self definition by the alleged offender, please specify this.

 

Regarding questions 3 and 5, no information is held. No internal policy or guidance is held in relation to question 3, and so question 5 relating to communication of such guidance is not applicable.

 

Regarding questions 4 and 6, responsibility for determining how police should record and manage sex, gender, and gender identity rests with the Home Office and the NPCC and we understand there is currently a review in place so that clarity and direction can be provided to police forces. This will take into account the Professor Alice Sullivan review which was published in March 2025, along with the Supreme Court Ruling For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers. The case concerned how the terms “man”, “woman” and “sex” should be interpreted in the Equality Act 2010 (EA 2010) in light of the Gender Recognition Act 2004 (GRA).

 

In light of this review, and as per interim Home Office direction to all police forces, Avon and Somerset Police records crimes based on how the victim identifies. We are still awaiting further clarity, as the Home Office has recognised that this is an area requiring clear national direction due to its significance.

7. Provide your crime data for rapes reported Jan 2025-Jan 2026 to include number of rapes reported, total number of offenders recorded, breakdown of offenders by sex.

 

The table below shows recorded suspect gender in rape offences recorded between 01 January 2025 – 31 January 2026. The totals differ due to the fact that an individual suspect may be involved in more than one offence, and each offence may have multiple suspects linked.

 

Suspect Gender	Count	Count Suspects
Female	41	36
Indeterminate	2	1
Male	2246	2043
Unknown	59	9
	1694	20
Sum:	4042	2109

 

 

To assist further, our Force Crime and Incident Registrar (FCIR) team have provided the following additional context relevant to your request as a whole:

 

The NPCC and College of Policing wrote to all forces in December 2025 confirming that the revised National Protected Characteristics Coding Scheme has been formally approved by the Chief Constables’ Council. This is a key step in improving the quality, consistency, and transparency of protected characteristic data across UK policing.

 

This scheme begins a wider programme of work to strengthen how protected characteristics are recorded. The NPCC and College of Policing are seeking a chief officer to lead a contextualisation task‑and‑finish group, supported by national partners. This group will bring together operational colleagues to shape practical guidance covering:

 

What protected characteristic data should be recorded

When it should be recorded

Why it is required

 

These resources will help officers and staff apply the standard confidently and consistently, with a clear understanding of its operational purpose. Forces interested in supporting this national work are encouraged to make contact using the details below.  In parallel, the NPCC Digital, Data and Technology Coordination Committee and the Police Digital Service will produce technical guidance and a nationally consistent Record Management System (RMS) data specification. This will support forces in updating IT systems and identifying dependencies between local and national platforms.