Joy Oh Joy!
Nanny, possibly relieved at the avalanche of data being spewed forth about the Murdoch empire's "moral lapses", recently and rather quietly launched "The Police National Database".
Another day, another database!
This particular database will hold the records up to 6 million apparently innocent people, including every victim of sexual assault and domestic violence.
All 43 police forces in England and Wales and other law enforcement agencies will be able to access the database...along with members of News International and their hired stooges (topical "joke" their folks!).
Jennie Cronin, a director at the National Police Improvement Agency (NPIA), the body in charge of the database, estimated that the records of between 10 and 15 million people would be held (that's between 16% to 24% of the entire population).
Given that approximately 9.2 million people in the UK have criminal records, that leaves up to almost 6 million on the database who are we assume innocent.
Approximately 12,000 approved police officers and staff will be able to access the database.
Would these be of the same quality and high ethical standards as those who allegedly sold information and contact details of all and sundry (including the Queen) to News International?
David Davis, the former Conservative shadow home secretary, said in a matter of fact manner and without any apparent irony:
"Historically police databases have sometimes been made available to people outside of law enforcement agencies. This cannot be afforded for the PND to work properly."
Errmmm...quite!
Given that databases are notoriously leaky, and given the ongoing furore over police receiving payments for selling details of ordinary citizens to News International; does anyone trust the database and indeed the police not to leak information?
Seriously, does anyone trust the police any more?
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Hi Ken,
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that you chose to highlight this story on the day that Big Brother Watch used FOI to determine that 900 police and associated staff have been disciplined for data protection breaches in the last three years.
Fills you with confidence, doesn't it?
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/07/12/police_data_breaches_900_over_3_years/
http://www.bigbrotherwatch.org.uk/home/2011/07/police-databases-how-over-900-staff-abuse-their-access.html
Information is power and also encourages lazy policing.
ReplyDeleteNanny's databases are merely modern versions of the soviet's Little Red Book; a little book that everyone had with their entire life story on, warts and all.
"All 43 police forces in England and Wales and other law enforcement agencies will be able to access the database...along with members of News International and their hired stooges (topical "joke" their folks!)."
ReplyDeleteBut, many a truth is spoken in jest, Ken!
Whilst there is a very good case to keep records on terrorists and other criminals, plus other pond life, there is no justification whatever in keeping innocent people, including victims of crime, on record. Only the perpetrators should have their details recorded in this manner.