Many other UK police forces already release custody photos of people imprisoned for serious offences.

The PSNI adopted and issued new guidance to officers and staff in November following the completion of an internal review launched in late 2023 in light of criticism from some victims’ families, the BBC reports.

It states that a custody image of an offender sentences to a custodial term of 12 months or more “should be routinely considered for release”, subject to approval by “a senior police officer of superintendent rank”.

The senior office must apply a “decision-making rationale that balances the purpose of the image release against other considerations”, the guidance adds.

A spokesperson for the force said: “For justice to be seen to be done, we want to communicate to the public, by all means available, of positive criminal justice outcomes in their communities.

“This can be achieved through our news releases post-sentencing, and now, the release of the defendants’ custody images as part of this information supplied to the media.”

This new policy is “in line with other police services across the UK and in accordance with legislation applicable in Northern Ireland, police service policy, European Convention on Human Rights and data protection principles”, they added.

“This will be an effective way to build confidence among communities, act as a deterrent to offenders and provide reassurance about the proactive steps police are taking to bring perpetrators before the courts.”