Recorded data in relation to transgender matters

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.029762

I note you seek access to the following information:

I am looking at sexual offences and I have a query about how data is recorded. If a biological man commits an offence is it recorded in the male data set or if they are transgendered (trans woman), is it recorded as the gender they identify as and therefore, as a female crime?

In view of the high profile cases of trans women and rape crimes, I would like to know how this data is officially recorded. I ask because, if a trans woman's crime is recorded as a female, then surely this is skewing the statistics for crime and therefore, mis-representative.

I would really appreciate clarification. Thank you for your time and your efforts.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

When recording crimes, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is required to comply with the Home Office Counting Rules, in line with other police forces in England and Wales.

Presently, this does not provide any advice or requirements for the recording of an individual’s sex or gender, whether they be victims, offenders, witnesses or informants. However, our crime recording system (CRIS) allows for the sex of an individual to be recorded along with any ‘other’ victim / suspect / accused information:

Sex: Male / Female / Other

In addition to this, there is an 'Officer's Notes' section further down which allows for specific text pertaining to anything not covered within the constraints of the individual's pages.

In terms of self-defining, there is no policy which stipulates that the MPS must record self-defined gender of a person who makes contact with the police.