Fingerprint, DNA and arrest history records deleted and visa system thrown into disarray
The home secretary Priti Patel is facing questions after 150,000 arrest records were accidentally wiped from police databases last week.
Fingerprint, DNA and arrest history records were deleted which could allow offenders to go free because evidence from crime scenes will not be flagged on the Police National Computer (PNC).
The Home Office said it was working with police to “assess the impact” of the glitch, which reportedly occurred by accident during a weekly “weeding” session to expunge data. It said no records of criminals or dangerous persons had been deleted, and that the wiped records were those of people arrested and released when no further action was taken.
