ACRO receives commendation for pandemic support
 
ACRO Criminal Records Office has been given a national policing award to recognise its innovative response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
Policing came together to deliver a solution in rapid time during an unprecedented national crisis.
 
When forces were called upon to enforce public health legislation, ACRO - a national policing unit - immediately stepped in to administer fixed penalty notices on their behalf.
 
Around 150 offences covering numerous new regulations were implemented during the pandemic, with more than 130,000 FPNs issued to members of the public in England and Wales.
 
The processing and payment of all fines were managed centrally by ACRO and at the height of the pandemic around 8,000 FPNs were received each week.
 
As well as the day-to-day management of the FPN process, ACRO stood up a contact centre to field calls from members of the public. 
 
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) commendation for ACRO was announced at the Operation Talla Awards in London on 30^th June.
 
Presenting the award, NPCC Chair Martin Hewitt described the ACRO response to the pandemic as “incredible”.
 
ACRO Chief Executive Rob Price said:
 
'This national award is a fitting tribute to the incredible work carried out, at a difficult time for everyone, by the ACRO team.
 
'Without the hard work and professionalism of our staff, we would not have been able to offer such a comprehensive service.
 
'A brand new payment system was established within weeks, allowing police forces to get on with the job of protecting the public during the pandemic.
 
'ACRO exists to support policing and help keep communities safe – this is the perfect example of how well we do both.'
 

Published 5th July, 2022