Do not expect privacy if charged with a crime, says police standards body

A police officer providing security at a major crime scene in Southampton. The new guidance said those charged with crimes including indecent exposure, domestic violence or child sexual abuse ‘can be named’. Photograph: Martin Brayley/Alamy

People charged with a crime should have no reasonable expectation of privacy, the national policing standards body has said.

The statement from the College of Policing came after media organisations raised concerns over proposed changes to the college’s guidance that stated forces across England and Wales no longer “should” name those charged with crimes including indecent exposure, domestic violence or child sexual abuse, instead advising that individuals “can be named”.