This department provides specialist skills and investigation in relation to protecting vulnerable people and responds specifically to safety issues associated with the individual, the family and perpetrators.

Child Abuse Investigation Unit

This unit investigates allegations of child abuse within families as well as a number of allegations of abusive images of children over the internet. Specially trained officers, with key partner agencies on a number of occasions, undertake video interviews with victims of child abuse, neglect and sexual offences as well as investigate offenders.

Dangerous Persons Management Unit

This unit manage the counties registered sex offenders as well as other violent and potentially dangerous persons, in cooperation with the multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA), a collaboration between all designated “responsible” authorities who have information in relation to an individual. Click here to see the MAPPA Annual Report

Domestic Abuse Unit

This unit is responsible for overseeing the investigating of high-risk offenders of domestic abuse. They will also provide advice and guidance around "so called" honour based violence, forced marriages and issues of female genital mutilation. Click here for more information, or call the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247

Hate Crime Unit

Hate Crime is any criminal offence or incident that is perceived by the victim or any other person, whether a witness, friend or family member, as being motivated by prejudice or hate. Reasons for the crime can be based on a person's

• race, colour, ethnic origin or nationality
• religion or faith
• sexual orientation
• disability or learning disability
• gender identity transgender issues

The actual crime or incident can come in many different forms and in varying degrees of seriousness. Such types of crime are monitored and investigated by the Hate Crime Unit. This unit is staffed by a Sergeant, six Police Officers and a Victim Support Worker. As well as managing all crimes and incidents of hate crime reported to Northamptonshire Police the unit also offers all victims specialist support and signposting for extra assistance if required. Click here for more information.

Missing Persons Unit

This unit deals with reports of individuals whose whereabouts are unknown for whatever reason and to action the missing person report until such time as the individual is found to be safe and well, or in the case of a crime being committed towards the individual, to investigate as appropriate. The missing persons coordinators provide advice and guidance to frontline staff and also other agencies around vulnerable missing persons.

Mental Health Co-ordination

The role of the Mental Health Co-coordinator is to ensure that when the Police are dealing with incidents or persons with mental health issues they work effectively with partner agencies to provide a coordinated and effective response.

Referral Unit

This unit deals with referrals regarding child abuse and domestic abuse cases. It consists of a team of staff members who work with partners to ensure the victims are supported and the case is managed by the appropriate agencies.