588 non-crime reports relating to safeguarding

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.24.035866

I note you seek access to the following information:

When an officer or staff member recognises exploitation, they are expected to create a separate non-crime report, called a 588, on the crime report information system (CRIS). This is to document safeguarding activity and information that is separate from the investigation of an offence.'

1. For the most recent month for which data is available, please provide the number of 588 reports created.
2. Please provide the number of children these reports relate to.
3. Please provide the number of 588 reports created by (i) officers and (ii) staff.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full. Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - For the most recent month for which data is available, please provide the number of 588 reports created.

In February 2024  - 276 588 reports were created.

Q2 - Please provide the number of children these reports relate to.

There is only 588 per child - the report is re-opened should new concerns come to light and closed following the investigation. The reports relate to 276 children.

Q3 - Please provide the number of 588 reports created by (i) officers and (ii) staff.

275 were created by officers, and 1 was created by a staff member.

The MPS have recently moved information to a new system.

The information provided for questions 1, 2 and 3 represents the number of reports created and therefore the number of children identified in one month as being at risk of exploitation - rather than the overall number of children who are being safeguarded in relation to exploitation, on reports that were created before February.