Your Request

 I am writing to request information regarding the management of violence against women and girls (VAWG) high-harm offenders within your force - specifically, but not exclusively, in relation to Offender Management Units (OMUs) that specialise in, or focus on, high-harm offenders.

 For the purposes of this request, 'high-harm' refers to offenders who pose a risk of serious interpersonal or violent harm, including sexual offences, violent crimes, and other offences with a high impact on female victims.

 Factors Considered at Referral to High-Harm OMUs

 Which static or historical factors (e.g., prior convictions, demographic characteristics, offence history) are routinely considered when deciding whether an offender is managed - within a high-harm OMU or elsewhere within the force?

 Are any behavioural or dynamic indicators (e.g., escalation patterns, substance misuse, relationship breakdown) formally used to inform this decision? If yes, please specify which indicators.

 Decision-Making Frameworks and Tools

 Are structured tools, guidance documents, or panel frameworks used to assess whether an offender should be managed within a high-harm OMU?

Freedom of Information Act 2000

 I can confirm that the information requested is held by Durham Constabulary. I have detailed below the information that is being released to you.

The MOSOVO Department (Management of Sex Offenders and Violent Offenders) manage the following:

• Registered Sex Offenders
• Potentially Dangerous Persons
• Nominals subject to MAPPA (Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements)
• Nominals subject to an SRO (Sexual Risk Order)
• Nominals subject to a VOO (Violent Offender Order)

Registered sex offenders (RSOs) are managed within MOSOVO as they have been convicted of a qualifying offence which means they are subject to Sex Offender Notification Requirements (SONR). There is no screening process for these nominals, they are automatically transferred for management upon conviction by the court.

Potentially Dangerous Persons (PDPs) and nominals referred into MAPPA are screened upon referral to ensure they are appropriate to be managed via one of these routes. Cases are reviewed individually on a case by case basis. Previous convictions are considered, escalation patterns, substance misuse and relationship breakdown would all be considered during the screening process. Other factors such as mental health and housing concerns are also considered. Each individual case is different and all relevant information is considered prior to a decision being made regarding acceptance into MAPPA / PDP. The MAPPA thresholding document is used during MAPPA screening and the 'MAPPA A' document highlights what areas are discussed during the screening process. For more info on this you can visit Multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA): Guidance - GOV.UK

With regard to an SRO / VOO application these are made to the court. The court decide whether these are granted. An SRO would be granted by the court if the order is necessary to protect the public. A VOO is granted by the court if the person is believed to pose a serious risk to the public. There is further information available on this

at Sexual risk orders (SROs) | College of Policing and Protective measures and civil orders | College of Policing