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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Police ordered to delete records | Police ordered to delete records |
| (36 minutes later) | |
| Four police forces have been ordered to delete criminal records dating back decades because they are "no longer relevant". | Four police forces have been ordered to delete criminal records dating back decades because they are "no longer relevant". |
| The Information Commissioner told West Midlands, Humberside, Northumbria and Staffordshire forces their records on four people breached data protection. | The Information Commissioner told West Midlands, Humberside, Northumbria and Staffordshire forces their records on four people breached data protection. |
| The individuals complained to the commissioner after their history showed up in checks when they went for jobs. | The individuals complained to the commissioner after their history showed up in checks when they went for jobs. |
| Each force is appealing against the ruling. | Each force is appealing against the ruling. |
| The Association for Chief Police Officers (ACPO) said it was "regrettable" the commissioner had decided to make the cases public while they were being appealed against. | The Association for Chief Police Officers (ACPO) said it was "regrettable" the commissioner had decided to make the cases public while they were being appealed against. |
| The record held by Humberside Police related to the theft of a packet of meat, worth 99p, back in 1984 when the complainant was aged 16. | The record held by Humberside Police related to the theft of a packet of meat, worth 99p, back in 1984 when the complainant was aged 16. |
| 'Juvenile prank' | 'Juvenile prank' |
| Staffordshire Police also held a record in which a 13-year-old girl was cautioned for a minor assault. | Staffordshire Police also held a record in which a 13-year-old girl was cautioned for a minor assault. |
| The woman said she was told the information would be kept until her 100th birthday. | The woman said she was told the information would be kept until her 100th birthday. |
| The individuals contacted the commissioner Richard Thomas, saying they were concerned after the old records appeared on Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks. | The individuals contacted the commissioner Richard Thomas, saying they were concerned after the old records appeared on Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks. |
| John Webb, 45, from Hull, was one of those who complained after a conviction surfaced from West Midlands Police dating back to 1978. | John Webb, 45, from Hull, was one of those who complained after a conviction surfaced from West Midlands Police dating back to 1978. |
| Richard Thomas ruled the records were "no longer relevant" | Richard Thomas ruled the records were "no longer relevant" |
| Mr Webb was 16 when he was caught using metal discs cut to the size of 1p and 10p pieces in a fairground slot machine. | Mr Webb was 16 when he was caught using metal discs cut to the size of 1p and 10p pieces in a fairground slot machine. |
| He said: "I had no idea that this incident would have come to light after such a long period of time. | He said: "I had no idea that this incident would have come to light after such a long period of time. |
| "I accept what happened in the incident was wrong, I consider that by today's standards what I did would be considered more of a juvenile prank." | "I accept what happened in the incident was wrong, I consider that by today's standards what I did would be considered more of a juvenile prank." |
| A spokesman for the commissioner said the records were "no longer relevant" and "excessive for policing purposes". | A spokesman for the commissioner said the records were "no longer relevant" and "excessive for policing purposes". |
| 'Disappointed and surprised' | 'Disappointed and surprised' |
| Assistant commissioner Mick Gorrill said: "Each case relates to individuals who have been convicted or cautioned on one occasion and have not been convicted of any other offences." | Assistant commissioner Mick Gorrill said: "Each case relates to individuals who have been convicted or cautioned on one occasion and have not been convicted of any other offences." |
| He added: "The retention of the previous conviction information is causing harm and distress to the individuals concerned. | He added: "The retention of the previous conviction information is causing harm and distress to the individuals concerned. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY Keeping petty offences on file for decades seems pretty pointless Fancyapint, UK Send us your comments | |
| "We are not satisfied that in these particular cases this information will be of any use for policing purposes." | "We are not satisfied that in these particular cases this information will be of any use for policing purposes." |
| The forces are appealing each at the Information Tribunal, which means the files will not be deleted until a final decision is reached. | The forces are appealing each at the Information Tribunal, which means the files will not be deleted until a final decision is reached. |
| Humberside Police deputy chief constable David Griffin said: "I am disappointed and surprised that the Information Commissioner's office have chosen to publicly comment on matters that are still undergoing an appeal process." | Humberside Police deputy chief constable David Griffin said: "I am disappointed and surprised that the Information Commissioner's office have chosen to publicly comment on matters that are still undergoing an appeal process." |
| Ian Readhead, of ACPO, said: "It is regrettable that the Information Commissioner has decided to go public on a matter that he knows will be subject of an Information Tribunal hearing early in the new year." | Ian Readhead, of ACPO, said: "It is regrettable that the Information Commissioner has decided to go public on a matter that he knows will be subject of an Information Tribunal hearing early in the new year." |