This section amends the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 ("the 2022 Act"), to insert new sections 44A to 44E into that Act, relating to victim third party material requests.
	New section 44A provides that a "victim information request" (a request for third party material relating to a victim, or person who is at risk of being a victim) may only be made when it is necessary and proportionate to the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of a crime, and in pursuit of a reasonable line of enquiry. Additionally, the authorised persons must have a reason to believe that the information being requested is held by the third party. In making or deciding whether to make such a request the authorised person must have regard to the Code of Practice issued by the Secretary of State. It applies to specified law enforcement bodies who undertake and support investigations and protect vulnerable victims.
	New section 44B requires the authorised person to provide the victims with a written notice that details what information is being sought, why it is being sought, and how the information will be dealt with once obtained when appropriate. The notice must be given on or before the date the request is made or, if that is not reasonably practicable, as soon as practicable after that date. Where the victim is a child or an adult without capacity, the notice must be given to their parent or guardian, or person representing the authority or organisation whose care they are in. If no such person is available, notice is to be given to any adult the authorised person considers appropriate.
	New section 44C requires that the request to the third party to be made in writing, and specify what information is being sought, why it is being sought, and how the information will be dealt with once it has been obtained. The authorised person is not required to give full information about the crime, as this is often highly sensitive, but instead must provide a more general overview to the third party they are requesting material from.
	New section 44D requires the Secretary of State to prepare a Code of Practice which sets out the duties and best practice for authorised persons when making a victim information request. Prior to issuing the Code, the Secretary of State must consult relevant bodies such as the Information Commissioner, the Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses and the Domestic Abuse Commissioner.
	New section 44E defines "authorised person" and includes the police, British Transport Police, National Crime Agency and the Ministry of Defence Police. The Secretary of State may amend the list of authorised persons, by adding or removing persons or modifying the references to the persons (for example if their name changes), by regulations.
Part 1: Victims of Criminal Conduct Information relating to victims Section 28: Information relating to victims