A police caution is a formal alternative to prosecution in minor cases, administered by the police in England and Wales. It is a formal warning given by the police to anyone aged 10 years or over who has admitted that they are guilty of a minor crime. Accepting a caution requires an admission of guilt. A caution is not a criminal conviction, but it could be used as evidence of bad character if you go to court for another crime. The aims of the formal police caution are to offer a proportionate response to low-level offending where the offender has admitted the offence, to deliver swift, simple and effective justice that carries a deterrent effect, to record an individuals criminal conduct for possible reference in future criminal proceedings or in criminal record or other similar checks, to reduce the likelihood of re-offending, and to increase the amount of time officers spend dealing with more serious crime and reduce the amount of time police officers spend completing paperwork and attending court, whilst simultaneously reducing the burden on the courts.

Here are some key points about police cautions:

• A caution is a formal warning given by the police to anyone aged 10 years or over who has admitted that they are guilty of a minor crime.
• Accepting a caution requires an admission of guilt.
• A caution is not a criminal conviction, but it could be used as evidence of bad character if you go to court for another crime.
• The aims of the formal police caution are to offer a proportionate response to low-level offending where the offender has admitted the offence, to deliver swift, simple and effective justice that carries a deterrent effect, to record an individuals criminal conduct for possible reference in future criminal proceedings or in criminal record or other similar checks, to reduce the likelihood of re-offending, and to increase the amount of time officers spend dealing with more serious crime and reduce the amount of time police officers spend completing paperwork and attending court, whilst simultaneously reducing the burden on the courts.
• A caution should be offered in a police station, court building or other official setting. Importantly, it should not be offered in the street, your home or any other unofficial setting. The police should only break this rule if there are exceptional circumstances.
• The police don’t have to offer a caution. Therefore, whether they do or not is down to their decision. They could choose to pass your case to the CPS who will decide whether to prosecute you (i.e. to take you to court) .