Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) – Child Gravity Matrix (Updated Sept 2023)

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Summary:

The Association of Chief Police Officers Child Gravity Matrix is used by the Police to determine whether children should be considered for an out of court disposal.

Description:

The ACPO Child Gravity Matrix provides most offences with a score of 1, 2, 3 or 4 depending on their seriousness. The score may be raised or lowered by one level according to aggravating and mitigating factors which are set out in the Matrix. The ACPO Child Gravity Matrix is used to determine whether children should be considered for out of court disposals. It is possible to deviate from the normal response as dictated by the matrix, however the decision-maker must record the reasons that justify such a deviation.