Due to a breakdown, a lot of data has been deleted from the central computer system of the British police. It was more than 150. 000 arrest records with DNA data and fingerprints, reported the Newspaper The Times on Friday. The Ministry of the Interior admitted the breakdown at the Police National Computer (PNC), the extent is currently being determined.

The Ministry stressed, however, that it only affected data from people who had been released and who had not been investigated further. “No records of criminal or dangerous people have been deleted,” the ministry said. The Times reported that the mistake at least affected the police’s ability to reopen proceedings. Biometric evidence found at crime scenes cannot currently be matched. In addition, the breakdown disrupts the British visa system. Applications would not be processed for two days.

Protest of the opposition The PNC is supposed to facilitate investigations and serves the exchange between the authorities. In addition to the police authorities in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and other British territories, the GCHQ secret service also has full access to the PNC. In addition, there is the security service MI5, the secret service MI6 or the traffic police. Various authorities such as the justice and interior ministries or the post office have restricted access. The PNC is also connected to the Schengen information system.

The opposition Labor party has asked Interior Minister Priti Patel to comment. “This is an extremely serious security breach that poses enormous threats to public safety,” said domestic politician Nick Thomas-Symonds. “The incompetence of this chaotic government must not result in people being endangered, criminals released and justice denied to the victims.”

(anw)