-
What the loss of records from the Police National Computer means

Jamie GriersonThe kind of data that was accidentally deleted and what it could have been used for
Fingerprint, DNA and arrest history records have been accidentally deleted from databases linked to the Police National Computer (PNC).
Here we take a look at what the PNC is used for and the implications of the technical blunder.
What is the Police National Computer?
The PNC is a system that stores and shares criminal records information across the UK, according to the criminal records office Acro.
Law enforcement agencies use it to access information that will support national, regional and local investigations, Acro says.
A person’s PNC record contains their name, date of birth, sex and ethnic appearance and an arrest summons number, as well as details of successful convictions. Information about DNA and fingerprints is also held on the PNC.
How is the information used?
According to the College of Policing, the PNC provides “real-time checks” on people, vehicles, crimes and property.
In addition, other “non-police organisations”, have limited access to information held on the PNC in order to help them fulfil their statutory functions. Organisations such as the Charity Commission for England and Wales, government departments, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), the Prison Service, the NHS and UK border operations.
How long is information kept?
An individual’s record on the PNC is retained until their 100th birthday, including if they were released with no further action after an arrest.
DNA and fingerprints are held indefinitely for those convicted of a crime, except for first-time offenders who are children.
If a person is not convicted and released without further action, the DNA and fingerprints could be held for three years before deletion.What has been lost?
According to a letter sent to the National Police Chiefs’ Council, more than 400,000 offence records, arrest records and person records may have been deleted, as well as tens of thousands of fingerprint records and DNA records, some of which had been marked for “indefinite retention”.
What is the impact?
The impact is significant because some offenders are ultimately charged and convicted because their fingerprints and DNA, accessed via the PNC, are kept and cross-checked against material found at other crime scenes.
source: Jamie Grierson
Levant
You May Also Like
Popular Posts
Caricature
BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
opinion
Report
ads
Newsletter
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the new updates!