Recommendation - College of Policing, March 2026

The IOPC recommends that the College of Policing review their training and guidance around the use of force on people who are pregnant, including Public and Personal Safety Training and the Personal Safety Manual.

This follows an IOPC review of a complaint about the use of restraint techniques and equipment on a person who was pregnant. Police used ground restraint, unarmed techniques, non-compliant handcuffing, leg restraints, and a spit hood.

The officers involved assessed that force was necessary and the force used was proportionate to the situation. However, it was highlighted that they had no training or knowledge of using force on a person who is pregnant and asked medical staff who were present what techniques they should use.

The review established that the force had no policy relating to use of force on a person who is pregnant. The force referred to Authorised Professional Practice (APP) guidance which covers legal framework for use of force, care of female detainees and consideration of vulnerability, but does not specify tactics.

Police officers who come into contact with members of the public would benefit from awareness of the safest techniques and tactics for using force on people who are pregnant when medical advice is not immediately available. This could be delivered through training and the Personal Safety Manual.

The NHS and Home Office have guidance about the use of restraint on pregnant patients or detainees which includes suggested safer restraint positions, as well as positions and equipment to avoid. As well as being an area of public and stakeholder interest, this change could benefit officers and staff by providing more information on safety when it is necessary for them to use force on people who are pregnant.

People who are pregnant are at increased risk of domestic abuse and pregnancy is also a significant trigger for mental health issues, so this can also protect members of the public at a time when their vulnerability may be heightened.

The IOPC has been notified that the College of Policing has already planned a review of personal safety tactics and has chosen to issue this recommendation to ensure that this matter is addressed as part of that review.

Accepted

This recommendation will be incorporated through the Personal Safety Manual review process and will be taken forward with appropriate priority. 

We fully recognise the importance of this area in supporting continuous improvement, particularly given the significant public and stakeholder interest. We are assured that the College of Policing has already commenced work in collaboration with representatives from the NPCC Clinical Governance Group and the NHS to ensure clear alignment with existing guidance relating to the use of restraint on pregnant individuals, including safer positions and those that should be avoided. 

Appropriate steps will be taken to ensure that this position is accurately and consistently reflected across relevant guidance and training products. This will ensure that officers and staff are supported with clear, evidence informed direction that reflects both clinical advice and operational reality. 

In addition, the matter has been considered through the established clinical governance arrangements that support the College of Policing First Aid Learning Programme. Through this process, collective assurance has been provided that the programme remains fit for purpose in its application to pregnant casualties.