Malicious Communications

Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FOI/26/9402

Version Date: 02/02/2026

The Performance & analysis Department has provided the following information:

Data Source

Force custody recording system - NSPIS/NICHE Custody 

Data Processing:

Qliksense Detainee Management Report

Filtered on Arrest Data Sheet

Data Exported

Excel Filtered on Arrest Date: 01/01/2024 - 31/12/2025

Filtered on Home Office Classification Codes

 Caveats/Limitations

Arrest data is reliant on the linking of an occurrence to an arrest. If an occurrence is not linked to an arrest, the arrest will not be identified therefore counted.

Data contains duplicate Custody ID references. This is because an occurrence can be linked to multiple arrests. Both arrest types (Primary and Additional) have been counted in this data.

Section 191, Part 10, of the Online Safety Act 2023 (threatening communications) is assumed to be Section 181, Online Safety Act 2023 (threatening communications)

Absence of an offence from the data table indicates a nil return for that offence

For each of the years 2024 and 2025 the number of arrests made by your force for each of the following offences

• Section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988
• Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003
• Section 179, Part 10, of the Online Safety Act 2023 (false communications)
• Section 191, Part 10, of the Online Safety Act 2023 (threatening communications)
  
  

Between 01/01/2024 - 31/12/2025 the number of arrests (primary and additional) made by Devon and Cornwall police by Legislation and Calendar Year.