9 January 2026
SDLP Policing Board member Colin McGrath MLA has said confirmation that the PSNI will now release photos of convicted criminals is long overdue.
South Down MLA Colin McGrath said:
“The SDLP has repeatedly called on the PSNI to release images of individuals convicted of serious crimes and while confirmation of a change in policy is welcome, it is long overdue. This is standard practice for police services elsewhere and it is right that the PSNI has now moved in this direction.
“There have been a number of high-profile cases where the PSNI refused to release images when it would have been entirely appropriate, raising serious questions about the approach taken. We have also heard directly from victims who felt their ordeal was minimised or their pain compounded by the failure to publish images of those responsible.
“This change will help strengthen public confidence in policing by showing that criminals are being pursued and held to account. Serious offenders should have nowhere to hide and I will continue to use my role on the Policing Board to ensure this policy is applied consistently and in the public interest.”