Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make it his policy to ensure that police officers receive training on understanding autism.

The College of Policing sets the standards for training and professional development for police forces in England and Wales. It has produced Authorised Professional Practice and a range of training materials to support officers to help vulnerable people effectively, including those with mental health problems and autism.

Training on mental health and vulnerabilities issues is integrated throughout the initial police learning programme which all new recruits – police constables, special constables and PCSOs – must complete. Ongoing training is the responsibility of individual police forces, through Chief Constables, to ensure officers and police staff receive appropriate training for their roles and that they have regard to the appropriate Authorised Professional Practice when discharging their responsibilities.