Guidance on preventing and tackling electoral fraud has been sent to all police forces in England and Wales.
The Association of Chief Police Officers, working with the Electoral Commission, have drawn up a joint protocol with a recommendation to all chief constables that single points of contact are established within in each force and within each Basic Command Units (BCU) to liaise with returning officers.
What they say
Chris Fox, President of the Association of Chief Police Officers, said: “This protocol has been developed as a result of work over the past six months between the police and the Electoral Commission and encourages close liaison with police and returning officers to identify and prevent any fraudulent activity before it occurs. A single point of contact for all electoral offences will be identified in every force and at Basic Command Unit level. Electoral fraud is extremely rare but given the recent publicity around the electoral fraud in Birmingham, we need to ensure that the public and voters of this country have full trust in the system, and faith that the election on May 5 will be free and fair."
After a meeting with Chris Fox, President of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), to discuss electoral fraud, the Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, said: "Mr Fox and I are fully committed to ensuring that the election is properly policed to guard against electoral fraud.
"Mr Fox made clear that any allegations of electoral fraud will be investigated vigorously and pursued by the police. The police are working closely with the Electoral Commission, the Home Office and Department for Constitutional Affairs, to ensure that every returning officer has access to, and the full support of, local police as appropriate.
"ACPO and the Electoral Commission have been working closely together during the last 12 months to develop detailed guidance on tackling electoral fraud. The guidance takes account of the judgement following the electoral petitions in Birmingham and will be sent to all forces and returning officers this week."
