Assisting Offender Unit
The Unit advises on and facilitates the Assisting Offender (AO) process – sometimes referred to as a SOCPA agreement – where someone enters into a contract with the CPS and opts to give evidence or intelligence regarding a serious offence in exchange for a reduction of their own sentence.
The AO Unit serves both SWROCU and South Wales ROCU (Tarian). It is led by DS Patrick Scofield.
Our services
The AO Unit:
- advises on and facilitates the AO process under the provisions of sections 71-74 of SOCPA (Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, amended by the Sentencing act 2020)
- provides support and guidance about Non-PACE intelligence interviews
- provides support and guidance about letters of “text,” for judges at sentencing
Who can use our services?
Guidance from the team is available to any investigator to which SOCPA or the proposed provision of information by an offender becomes relevant.
The SOCPA process is usually formally requested at SIO / Detective Inspector level or equivalent.
Useful information regarding the SOCPA process can be found on the CPS website.
We are keen to offer initial advice on how our capabilities and other partners may be able to assist your investigation. Bids for capabilities then need to be taken to your Force Tasking meeting.
Want to know more?
Watch a recent upskilling webinar delivered by Patrick:
Making a referral
To refer an AO who has been or will be sentenced for an indictable offence and who may be prepared to give evidence or intelligence against other serious offenders, complete a referral form.
How to request services
Our Gateway, within the Regional Intelligence Unit can provide more information about this service:
- by phone – 01278 647 299
- email – swrocugateway@avonandsomerset.police.uk
The Regional Intelligence Unit is available:
- Monday to Friday 08:00 – 22:00
- Weekends 08:00 – 16:30
For complex or resource-intensive requests, or requests for sensitive tactics, you will be asked to complete the BID Capability Form. Please refer to the Tasking Procedural Guidance about this process.
For urgent, out-of-hours enquires, call 01278 647 299 and the number will divert to the on-call SWROCU officer.