Debunking the Myth of the "Informed Choice" Police Circular: A Comprehensive Investigation
A persistent narrative circulating on social media claims that a 2008 Home Office circular instructed police to respect the "informed choice" of children involved in prostitution. This narrative has ignited outrage and fueled accusations of systemic failures in protecting vulnerable children. However, a thorough investigation by BBC Verify has found no evidence to support this claim. The investigation involved a meticulous search of Home Office circulars and memos, consultation with former police leadership, and an examination of related Freedom of Information requests. The findings unequivocally debunk the existence of such a directive, highlighting the dangers of misinformation and the importance of verifying claims before accepting them as fact.
The Home Office maintains a comprehensive archive of all circulars and memos issued to police forces. These documents, publicly available through the National Archives and the College of Policing website, provide guidance on policy updates, administrative instructions, and operational procedures. BBC Verify’s exhaustive search of the 2008 circulars yielded no mention of "informed choice," "child prostitute," or any similar phrasing suggesting that police should respect the decisions of children engaged in sexual exploitation. The investigation extended to the years 2007, 2009, and 2010, further solidifying the absence of such guidance. Variations of the alleged phrase prevalent in social media posts, such as "get involved," "sexual behaviour," and "lifestyle choice," were also absent from the official documentation.
Reinforcing the BBC Verify investigation, numerous Freedom of Information requests submitted to various police forces seeking the purported "informed choice" memo or circular have proven fruitless. No police force has been able to locate any record of such communication. This widespread absence of the alleged document across multiple police forces further discredits the claim. The consistent inability to produce any evidence of the circular points towards its non-existence.
While a 2009 circular does link to a Department for Children, Schools and Families document mentioning "informed choice," the context is crucially different from the social media narrative. The document emphasizes situations where local agencies must report sexual activity to protect children unable to make an informed choice, directly contradicting the narrative of condoning child prostitution. This document, not a direct instruction to police, underscores the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children lacking the capacity for informed decision-making.
Circulars from 2007 and 2010 did contain the term "child prostitute," but these references were related to technical changes in legislation regarding offenses like "controlling a child prostitute." The 2010 circular explicitly stated that any actions taken, legal or otherwise, should aim to protect the child from ongoing sexual exploitation and abuse. Significantly, the term "child prostitute" was removed from legislation in 2015 to avoid any implication that children can consent to sexual abuse. This legislative change further underscores the legal and societal understanding that children cannot consent to exploitation.
The dissemination and interpretation of Home Office circulars and memos follow a structured process within police forces. Former Chief Constable Simon Bailey explained that these documents are received by senior officers, such as crime registrars and heads of crime, who then cascade the guidance down the ranks. Any ambiguities in the guidance would prompt the police force to seek clarification from the Home Office. Mr. Bailey expressed strong skepticism that the Home Office would ever issue a circular endorsing the concept of "informed choice" in the context of child prostitution. His experience and understanding of Home Office procedures further discredit the claim.
In conclusion, the assertion that a 2008 Home Office circular directed police to respect the "informed choice" of children engaged in prostitution is demonstrably false. The comprehensive investigation by BBC Verify, coupled with Freedom of Information requests and insights from former police leadership, has found no evidence supporting this claim. This incident underscores the importance of critical evaluation of information circulating on social media and the vital role of fact-checking in combating misinformation. The narrative surrounding the alleged circular not only misrepresents historical policing practices but also risks undermining public trust in law enforcement and its commitment to protecting vulnerable children. The focus should remain on supporting victims of child sexual exploitation and ensuring they receive the necessary protection and support.