Provision of information held by Northumbria Police made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the 'Act')
As you may be aware the purpose of the Act is to allow a general right of access to information held at the time of a request, by a Public Authority (including the Police), subject to certain limitations and exemptions.
You asked:
I wish to ask whether your force has policies that make specific mention of autism, autistic spectrum or other similar terms.
In Response:
The Force is committed to equality of opportunity, irrespective of an individuals protected characteristics as per our Equal Opportunities Procedure. In addition, the force’s Internal Support policy outlines a range of support mechanisms to the workforce which includes signposting to the National Police Autism Association. Northumbria Police also have instructions which make specific mention of autism in relation to victims of crime and offenders, and instructions which refer to vulnerable people, and those with autism, although not directly referred to within the force definition of vulnerability, will generally be included within its wider meaning.
