The Commission, chaired by Lord Goldsmith QC, has carried out three major investigative research projects, with this most recent study conducted by Dr Helen Churcher of the Howard League for Penal Reform.
The study has found that four in 10 police forces in England and Wales are failing to ask about gambling in interviews with people in custody, despite established links between gambling harm and crimes related to violence and theft.
The study states that this failure by police means they are unable to effectively recognise and therefore deal with crime that is directly related to gambling.
Speaking on the results of the research, Lord Goldsmith QC said: “With four in 10 forces stating that they do not screen for gambling harms at the police station, clearly opportunities to reduce crime and help people to turn their lives around are being missed.”
The Commission submitted Freedom of Information requests to 44 police forces in England and Wales, specifically pursuing details on screening, and treatment procedures for gambling harm and addiction.
The study revealed that only about two in 10 police forces screen for gambling harm and addiction, and that only half of the remaining forces appear to be aware of the issue.
Additionally, it made clear the need for greater awareness of gambling harm and related crime, with Lord Goldsmith QC going on to say: “The Commission’s work should pave the way for change so that not only police, but also prosecutors, magistrates, judges and probation officers, become more aware of the issue and how to tackle it.”
