1. Introduction
Wanted People UK ("WPUK") is committed to ethical standards in all aspects of its operations. This Ethical Crime Reporting & Community Safety Charter sets out the principles that guide how WPUK publishes information, engages with the public, and supports law enforcement.
Note: In this document, "reporting" refers to the publication and communication of crime-related information by WPUK, not to the act of reporting a crime to the police.
2. Purpose
This Charter exists to ensure that WPUK operates with integrity, transparency, and respect for individual rights. It reflects our commitment to balancing the public interest in crime prevention with the fundamental rights of individuals, including privacy, dignity, and the presumption of innocence.
3. Ethical Principles
WPUK is guided by the following seven ethical principles:
3.1 Presumption of Innocence
All individuals featured on the WPUK platform are presumed innocent until proven guilty. WPUK will never use language that implies guilt. Published content will use neutral, factual language such as "wanted" or "sought in connection with" rather than accusatory terms.
3.2 Responsible Publication
WPUK will only publish information that has been sourced from or verified by UK police forces and law enforcement agencies. WPUK will not publish unverified, speculative, or user-generated accusations. All content will be reviewed before publication to ensure it meets editorial and legal standards.
3.3 Protection of Individual Rights
WPUK respects the rights of all individuals, including those featured on the platform. This includes the right to privacy, the right to a fair trial, and protection from harassment and discrimination. Content will be published only where there is a legitimate public interest, and will be removed promptly when no longer necessary.
3.4 Compliance with Data Protection
WPUK complies fully with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Personal data is processed lawfully, fairly, and transparently, and only for legitimate purposes related to crime prevention and community safety.
3.5 Cooperation with Law Enforcement
WPUK works closely with UK police forces and cooperates fully with law enforcement requests. This includes the timely removal of content, the sharing of lead information through secure channels, and adherence to any legal restrictions or court orders.
3.6 Prevention of Harm
WPUK is committed to preventing harm to individuals and communities. This includes actively discouraging vigilantism, providing clear safety warnings, and ensuring that platform content cannot be easily misused for harassment or intimidation.
3.7 Transparency & Accountability
WPUK operates with transparency. Our policies, procedures, and governance framework are publicly available. We welcome scrutiny and are accountable for our decisions. Any individual affected by content on the platform has the right to raise a complaint and have it reviewed.
4. Supporting Communities
WPUK exists to serve communities across the United Kingdom. We believe that public engagement is a vital part of community safety, and we are committed to providing a platform that enables people to contribute to the identification of wanted individuals in a safe, responsible, and lawful way.
5. Ethical Technology Use
WPUK is committed to using technology ethically. We do not use facial recognition technology or any form of automated identification. All identification is conducted by members of the public voluntarily submitting information through proper channels, or by law enforcement agencies using their own systems.
6. Continuous Improvement
WPUK will regularly review this Charter and its operational practices to ensure they remain aligned with legal requirements, ethical standards, and best practices. We welcome feedback from law enforcement partners, the public, and independent bodies.
7. Our Commitment
WPUK is committed to operating ethically, transparently, and in the public interest. This Charter is a living document that reflects our values and our dedication to responsible crime reporting and community safety.
For questions about this Charter, contact us at:
legal@wantedpeople.uk