The PNC is a national database of information available to all police forces, law enforcement agencies and other specified bodies throughout UK. It is used for facilitating investigations and sharing information of both national and local significance. The system provides intelligence to police and other criminal justice or law enforcement agencies by holding extensive information on people, vehicles, crimes and property. It is accessible over a secure network within seconds and from thousands of terminals across the country at any time. This now includes mobile data checking at the scene of a crime or investigation.
The PNC dates back to 1974 when it was simply a database for stolen vehicles. Since its creation, numerous applications have been implemented and technology has been embraced. The PNC has grown from a basic record-keeping service into a highly sophisticated online intelligence and investigatory tool consisting of various databases assisting in investigations and other areas of the criminal justice system and law enforcement.
The PNC stores information about people who are, or were, of interest to UK law enforcement agencies because they:
The PNC also holds details of UK registered vehicles. These are identical to those held by the DVLA. They include:
Details held by PNC include:
The current practice is for the police to store details of all recordable offences (ie, indictable, triable-either-way and some summary offences), and other specific offences, and for these to be held until the individual reaches 100 years old.
As well as all UK police forces and law enforcement agencies, certain other ‘non-police organisations’, have access to information held on the PNC to help them fulfil their statutory functions. Access is granted by the Police Information Access Panel, whose membership is comprised of the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Association of Police Authorities and the Home Office.
Organisations/bodies with full access to the police national computer:
These following organisations have restricted access to the PNC:
Subject to certain exemptions, individuals have a right to be told whether the police hold any information about them. Further, there is a right to be provided with a copy of that personal data within a 40-day period. An application can be made to the police at a cost of £10, providing proof of identity. However, under the Data Protection Act 1998, the police may not provide personal data if is it considered that to do so would be likely to prejudice policing purposes.
Penalties for misuse of the PNC and unlawful access of data are severe. Misuse will likely lead to dismissal and even prosecution for breaching the Data Protection Act 1998.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) own the PNC system and it is managed and controlled by the Home Office.
Nicola is a dual qualified journalist and non-practising solicitor. She is a legal journalist, editor and author with more than 20 years' experience writing about the law.
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