A police force is making a permanent change in policy on the release of custody photos to journalists, allowing the media to publish pictures of all offenders whose crimes warrant a custodial term.

Previously, Thames Valley Police only provided custody photos or ‘mugshots’ if defendants had been given custodial sentences of 18 months or more.

However following a nine-month trial, the force has now decided it will make such images available in respect of any offender who is given a custodial sentence.

Journalists have welcomed the move and are now urging forces in neighbouring areas to follow suit.

Announcing the decision to make the trial permanent in a message sent to local journalists, TVP cited a positive story on HoldtheFrontPage about the initiative from when it was launched last June.

Interim media manager James Williams said: “We received positive feedback about the trial from journalists; I received a number of emails outlining how the trial was positive for transparency. Indeed, the editor of Wiltshire 999 published a positive news article on HoldtheFrontPage about the trial.

“We were pleased to observe that this positivity transferred to coverage of criminal justice outcomes. The custody photos that our Media Office provided to you and your colleagues were published in print and online, reaching millions of people.

“Internally, our officers and staff have also been positive about the trial. For example, members of our Ethics Board stated that publishing custody photos of defendants acts as a deterrent to other criminals. Further, the board commented that it sends out a positive and powerful message for victims and their families that justice is done for them.”

Mr Williams added that the force will also provide custody photos for defendants who are given Criminal Behaviour Orders, but not of those who receive suspended sentences or hospital orders.

Editor of Wiltshire 999 Daniel Jae Webb, pictured, said: “I am so pleased to hear that following a nine-month trial, Thames Valley Police are making a permanent change to their press policy – committing to releasing custody photographs of offenders jailed for ANY length of time. At present, most forces only release them if someone is jailed for more than 12 months.

With the current state of the justice system, you often either have to commit a somewhat horrific crime or be a repeat offender to achieve such a sentence. The new policy will allow the media to picture offenders who commit crimes that warrant a custodial term, but fall short of 12 months.

“I hope the change in the TVP area will allow the media to publish photos of sex offenders and domestic abusers, thus improving public safety.

“Recently, Wiltshire Police refused to release a custody photograph of a newly convicted sex offender – who targeted multiple children outside his own home – after he was jailed for 11 months. This is despite the force previously releasing a custody photograph of a man who assaulted police officers and was jailed for just four months.

“I hope other forces, including Wiltshire, follow suit. It only increases transparency in the justice system and shows that justice is being done.

Darren Toogood, editor of the Island Echo, added: “I’ve made representations to Hampshire for the force to follow Thames Valley in this approach. Sadly, this week a request for a custody photo for a prolific criminal (150+ convictions) was refused, despite a CBO being granted.”