Police respond to Cautions FOI request

For a caution to be issued, an offender must have made a clear and reliable admission, there is a realistic prospect of a conviction, and it is in the public interest to administer a caution.

For some sexual offences, in cases where the victim may not wish to proceed to court, one of the factors that then is considered in administering the caution is that the accused individual can be placed on the sex offences register for two years, which enables police to monitor them to increase public safety.

A caution is a serious matter, which can have significant consequences for the person's future employment.

A caution is a serious matter, which can have significant consequences for the person's future employment.

Officers are encouraged to use their discretion regarding out of court disposals, acting in a proportionate manner, and taking into account the individual circumstance of the case, victims and communities.