National policing lead on criminal justice Chief Constable Chris Eyre said:

"A full review of how police forces use cautions has been carried out involving the police, the Ministry of the Justice, the Home Office, the Crown Prosecution Service and victims' organisations.

"The review has found that in the vast majority of cases officers are using the guidance available to them, applying cautions appropriately and proportionately and this process is being properly supervised and managed.

"We do understand that there is some concern about the use of cautions, particularly in relation to sensitive issues such as sex offences, so we will work with the government to look at how magistrates can assist in ensuring that cautions are used effectively and with public confidence."