Event report of findings from a new N8 PRP Agile Evidence Review. 

N8 Policing Research Partnership (N8 PRP) convened a webinar on 13 March to explore how policing and partner agencies can better prevent suicide among people arrested or under investigation for sexual offences. The event brought together 112 attendees from policing, academia and health to consider the latest evidence and the practical implications for safeguarding during investigations.

The session featured Emma Tuschick (Teesside University), who presented findings from a newly published N8 PRP Agile Evidence Review. The presentation was followed by commentary from Katy Turner (Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Northumbria Police) and Professor Catherine Robinson (University of Manchester), alongside a facilitated discussion focused on implementation.

Agile Evidence Reviews (AERs) bring together research evidence, grey literature and relevant guidance to provide a rapid, high-level overview of what is currently known on a priority policing topic. N8 PRP produces AERs to support evidence-informed decision-making, improve access to research, and help identify gaps where further study is needed.

What the evidence says

Tuschick’s review highlights that suicide risk in this context is exceptionally elevated and often concentrated at the earliest stages of criminal justice contact—soon after disclosure, accusation, or a person’s first awareness that they are under investigation. Evidence cited in the webinar suggests a substantial proportion of deaths occur within days, and in some cases within 48 hours, of investigative awareness. The session also emphasised that risk can remain high during lengthy investigations, including periods of uncertainty linked to bail conditions, device seizure and delays, and may persist as an “aftershock” across court proceedings, custody and post-release.

The webinar also explored potential drivers of acute risk, including shame and stigma, fear of reputational damage, and a rapid “identity collapse” where individuals perceive relationships and future prospects to be irreparably lost. Perceived burdensomeness and hopelessness were also identified as common themes. A key safeguarding message for practitioners was that some people at risk may appear outwardly composed and may have no prior mental health history; the absence of a psychiatric record should not be treated as protective. Speakers described this as a “visible distress bias”, where vulnerability can be missed unless welfare and safeguarding checks are applied consistently.

The review set out five broad approaches currently used across the system: police-led procedural safeguards; third-sector crisis support; clinical and therapeutic interventions; multi-agency safeguarding responses; and custodial screening and mental health support at entry to detention. Speakers noted that impact depends on strong integration across agencies and clear handovers at transition points. Five recommendations were highlighted: (1) mandatory, needs-based assessments at key stages (including arrest, release from custody, bail decisions and major investigative developments); (2) consistent welfare contact even when distress is not obvious; (3) standardised referral pathways and proactive signposting to third-sector support; (4) clearer, more compassionate communication to reduce uncertainty; and (5) strengthened multi-agency coordination, treating suicide prevention as a shared responsibility across policing, health, safeguarding and community organisations.

What practitioners discussed

During discussion, participants focused on practical enablers and barriers to implementation. Contributions highlighted the importance of understanding wider dynamics—such as coercive control—and the potential impact of policing actions on families and non-offending partners. The webinar also referenced examples of ongoing work, including developments in Cumbria Police and Nottinghamshire Police, and the use of discreet arrest procedures in Northumbria intended to reduce collateral harm.

The session closed by underlining gaps in the evidence base, including limited research on women, adolescents, neurodivergent people and minoritised communities, and the need for stronger evaluation of early-stage interventions and longitudinal studies across criminal justice transitions.

Read the report

The report, presentation slides, and a recording of the presentation are available at:

Suicide Prevention Measures for People Arrested or Under Investigation for Sexual Offences.

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