JD Spicer Zeb Solicitors Banner Image

Useful Information

  • Home
  • Useful Information
  • Crime/Fraud
Services
People
News and Events
Other
Blogs

Police Record Deletion in the UK

  • Posted

In the UK, police records are kept on the Police National Computer for 100 years, and these can only be removed under certain circumstances.

At JD Spicer Zeb, we understand that having your records kept indefinitely can be concerning, particularly if you were not convicted of an offence.

The following article clarifies who can apply for police record deletion in the UK and how to do this.

Please note that the following article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. If you need legal support with removing a criminal record, please get in touch, and our team can advise you.

How long are police records kept?

Police records are generally kept in one of two places: on the Police National Computer (PNC) or locally by individual police forces.

Police National Computer (PNC)

Convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings are kept for 100 years on the Police National Computer (PNC), even if they become ‘spent’ under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, meaning they no longer show up on a standard DBS check.

If you were arrested but not charged or the case was dropped, the record will typically also stay on the PNC indefinitely. However, you can request to have it deleted.

Local records

Police forces may keep information such as callouts, stop-and-search records, or reports locally. Retention periods vary and are usually reviewed after 6-10 years, but they are sometimes held indefinitely for intelligence purposes.

Do police records get deleted?

Police National Computer (PNC)

In the UK, ‘expunging’ a spent conviction means removing it from certain background checks, such as DBS certificates, but not from your police record. This process, also known as ‘filtering’, is possible once a conviction becomes ‘spent’ under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The length of time it takes for a conviction to become spent depends on the sentence given and the age of the individual at the time of conviction. 

Expunging a spent police caution, or having it removed from your record, is possible, but it requires a formal application to the police force that issued the caution. The process involves submitting a well-argued case to the ACRO (Assistant Commissioner for Records and Operations) Records Deletion Unit, potentially with the help of a solicitor. The police will review your application and, if they agree, the caution will be removed from the Police National Computer (PNC). 

Local records

Individual police forces maintain local intelligence records or notes on their own systems. These records may include details of investigations, incidents, or allegations, even if they did not result in criminal charges.

You can contact the local police force to request the deletion of these records. The chief officers will make this decision in accordance with the Authorised Professional Practice (APP).

What is the record deletion process?

Police National Computer (PNC)

You can apply for the deletion of police records through the Record Deletion Process (RDP). To apply for record deletion, you can download the application form from the ACRO Criminal Records Office website.

Our specialist police record deletion solicitors can handle this process on your behalf and ensure that all relevant supporting evidence is included to give you the best chance of having your records removed.

Once submitted, your ACRO record deletion request will be assessed, considering the public interest, seriousness of the case, and risk factors. If approved, your records may be deleted from the Police National Computer (PNC). If your application is refused, you will be informed and may request a review or seek further legal advice.

Local records

The Record Deletion Process applies only to records stored on the Police National Computer, the National DNA Database, and the fingerprint database. It does not cover records held locally by individual police forces, such as custody photographs.

These local records are managed separately by chief officers, following the guidelines established in the Authorised Professional Practice (APP).

How to clear your criminal record in the UK

Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA), most convictions become ‘spent’ after a specific rehabilitation period (which varies depending on the offence) and when all ancillary court orders have expired. 

A spent conviction means it is no longer on your basic criminal record and will only show up on a more detailed DBS check unless it is removed (filtered). 

You can apply to the DBS to have a criminal record deleted or expunged by completing a form and providing supporting documents. Once submitted, the DBS will review your case and decide whether to delete your record.

However, it is important to note that this will not delete your conviction from the Police National Computer, only your criminal record.

If you need support with clearing your criminal record in the UK, please get in touch with our specialist police record deletion solicitors.

Fees and funding

For an initial consultation and assessment of your case, our fees will range from £750 plus VAT.

Detailed applications will cost from £1,000 plus VAT.

Related offences

We also provide support and guidance on various other matters that are related to criminal records, including:

Related cases

Contact our criminal record solicitors today

If you would like to enquire about getting your police records removed or need urgent specialist advice, please do not hesitate to contact us.

You can contact our police record deletion solicitors in London, Birmingham, and Manchester by telephone on:

Or email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk

Alternatively, you can fill out our quick online enquiry form, and we will get back to you quickly.

24/7 legal representation

For immediate representation and advice, you can contact our Emergency Number: 07836 577 556, and we will provide a prompt, friendly response.