FOI 514/25

REQUEST

I am submitting this request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to obtain information regarding how your force approaches the concepts of Threat, Harm and Risk. I am not requesting information for a specific time period. Specifically, I would like information on the following:

1. Conceptualisation: How does your force define and conceptualise Threat, Harm and Risk?
2. Operationalisation: What procedures, frameworks, or tools are used to apply Threat, Harm and Risk in operational practice (e.g., DASH, THRIVE)?
3. Understanding: Are there specific training materials, internal policies, or documents that describe how Threat, Harm and Risk are understood at both operational and strategic levels?

RESPONSE

We consulted with our Public Service Centre (PSC), our Public Protection Unit (PPU) and our Learning & Development department (LDS) who have provided the below response to your request.

Question 1

South Wales Police utilises the Summary Assessment Response model for reviewing Threat Risk and Harm.

The risk assessment model has been identified as Innovative Practice by the HMIC and an implementation guide has been developed with the college of policing to allow other forces to implement SAR.

Please see the link below:

Implementation guide: Improving call management – summary, assessment, response (SAR): A call handling risk assessment framework

Question 2

There are a number of bespoke risk assessment tools for areas within the Public Protection portfolio, including the following:

DASH – (Domestic Abuse Stalking & Honour Based Violence) Please see the following link: Dash risk assessment resources for professionals - SafeLives

FGM – (Female Genital Mutilation) – Please see the following link: Safeguarding women and girls at risk of FGM - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

MOSOVO – (Management of Sexual and Violent Offenders)- Please see the following link: Introduction to managing sexual offenders and violent offenders | College of Policing

Question 3

The main tool used in training for front line operational officers and staff to understanding Threat Risk & Harm across a wide range of situations is the National Decision Making Model known as ‘NDM’ which goes into details about individual and group risks.

The NDM is also used for strategic and partnership assessment of risk. This together with the other models when appropriate is thread through all initial training and refresher training and are available on mobile phone apps to assist officers in their decision making

This NDM model is available on the College of Policing Website. Please see the link below:

https://www.app.college.police.uk/app-content/the-national-decision-model/?s=

The other tools such as THRIVE, DASH & SAR are included during training for specific scenarios where appropriate, but the main risk assessment tool remains the NDM.

Please note that DASH is being replaced by the Domestic Abuse Risk Assessment (DARA) from Autumn 2025 this year. It is used by some of the force units when appropriate and is also mentioned in training sessions where appropriate.