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Autistic Spectrum Disorder: Revealing the Plight of a Hidden Population and Recognizing Challenges with the Implementation of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (1984)
Criminal Justice Ethics, Pages: 1 - 24
Swansea University Author:
Anthony Charles
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PDF | Version of Record
© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group on behalf of John Jay College of Criminal Justice of The City University of New York. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
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DOI (Published version): 10.1080/0731129x.2025.2583680
Abstract
UK policing practice is topical and the subject of considerable political debate. Especially in relation to vulnerable individuals, it is variously described as problematic, ‘heavy handed’ or even unjust. In this article, the way that individuals who have autistic spectrum disorder are treated by th...
| Published in: | Criminal Justice Ethics |
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| ISSN: | 0731-129X 1937-5948 |
| Published: |
Informa UK Limited
2025
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa70126 |
| Abstract: |
UK policing practice is topical and the subject of considerable political debate. Especially in relation to vulnerable individuals, it is variously described as problematic, ‘heavy handed’ or even unjust. In this article, the way that individuals who have autistic spectrum disorder are treated by the police will be explored. Research undertaken across England and Wales confirms that not only are individuals with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) some of the most vulnerable people in society, but also, that they are often subjected to negative treatment by the police. Despite the enactment of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act in 1984, findings suggest that due process protections are not being appropriately applied, and that legislative rhetoric does not reflect reality, having worrying consequences for those with ASD. The lived experiences of research participants feature prominently in this article, revealing weaknesses in statutory safeguards. These weaknesses are not insignificant, potentially harming those with ASD and undermining confidence in the justice system. Reflecting on research findings, this article concludes that there is an urgent need for a strengthening of protections by the UK Parliament for ASD affected people including more effective training and a transformation of attitudes to realise both due process and justice. |
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| Keywords: |
autistic spectrum disorder, Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, criminal justice system, policing, due process |
| College: |
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Funders: |
Swansea University |
| Start Page: |
1 |
| End Page: |
24 |