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Investigative strategies

Investigation — Authorised Professional Practice

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Summary

This section outlines various investigative strategies that accurately reflect the needs of an investigation. The primary objective is to locate and gather material, while also providing support to the victim’s family and satisfying the information requirements of partner agencies and the community. Key strategies include Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), Communications Strategy, Financial Investigation, House-to-House Enquiries, Intelligence Strategy, Passive Data Generators, Physical Evidence, Scene Strategy, and Search Powers, alongside obtaining and executing search warrants.

Key principles

  • 1Accurate reflection of investigation needs
  • 2Support for victim’s family
  • 3Satisfying information requirements of partner agencies
  • 4Locating and gathering material

This is a brief, factual summary. The full APP guidance — including operational detail, statutory references and case studies — lives on the College of Policing website. APP is the authoritative source for UK policing practice.

Read the full APP guidance

Source: College of Policing — Authorised Professional Practice · Crown copyright, licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0. Summary fetched 2026-06-27.