THT calls for better police understanding of HIV

The Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) has made a series of recommendations for police forces.

More training and support for officers dealing with crimes related to HIV transmission was suggested in the trust' latest report.

The Police Transmission study also suggests that a register of officers with experience of dealing with such cases should be established and a set of standard questions developed.

Lisa Power, head of policy at the THT, said: "We believe that investigations need to be fair and consistent, based on fact rather than fears and conducted in a manner that minimises distress to all parties involved and reduces the current high levels of wasted police resources."

Deputy chief constable Mike Cunningham, LGB&T lead at the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), welcomed the report.

He said that the association will continue to work with the THT, the Crown Prosecution Service and the National Aids Trust to implement the recommendations to ensure "consistency around this often complex and sensitive area of policing".

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