What is the Police National Computer (PNC)?
If you’re processing any level of DBS Check, the Police National Computer will be involved in the process. The Police National Computer, or PNC, is a database used by the police and a range of other organisations, including:
non-police prosecution agencies
regulatory bodies
government agencies
non-departmental public bodies
foreign embassies in the UK
The PNC holds information of offending behaviour for persons over age 10 (the age of criminal responsibility). The information held on the PNC makes it an essential part of carrying out a DBS Check. In the rest of this article, we’ll look at some of the most common questions we’re asked about the Police National Computer and DBS Checks.
What is a PNC search?
A PNC search is simply a search of the information recorded on the PNC. This information can include a person's convictions, cautions, warnings or reprimands, as well as dates and outcomes of criminal justice proceedings.
PNC searches are usually carried out via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or the ACRO Criminal Records Office (ACRO). The DBS provide PNC searches in the form of a Basic DBS Check. These reveal any unspent convictions, cautions, warnings or reprimands on someone’s record. ACRO provide more comprehensive information to organisations involved in criminal justice and public bodies.
How is the Police National Computer involved in a DBS Check?
A search of the PNC is the first step in a DBS Check’s journey whether it’s the Basic, Standard or Enhanced level. The DBS search the PNC based on the information provided on a DBS application form. This is why it’s so important to make sure that all the information on an application is entered correctly.
If no match is found than a DBS Check moves on to the next stage. If the DBS are unsure of whether there is a match, they may invite the applicant to complete a fingerprint test. The police will then verify whether the applicant is a match.
What information is held on the Police National Computer?
PNC data contains an offender’s personal information such as;
Name
Address
Date of birth
Gender
Ethnicity
Disability
It will also contain detailed information about any offences committed. This will include:
Spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings or reprimands
Date(s) of offence(s)
Type of offence(s)
Criminal justice outcomes
How far back does the Police National Computer go?
In theory, the PNC holds records of every offence committed by an individual in the past. These records are retained on the PNC until a person reaches 100 years of age. However, due to historical differences in how convictions were recorded and retained, it is possible that convictions may not appear on the PNC. You can find more information here.
What is the difference between the PNC and PND?
PND stands for Police National Database and is a different system to the Police National Computer. The PND holds intelligence information rather than records of convictions. This system captures information from hundreds of other systems from 51 contributing police forces and law enforcement agencies. The PND covers POLE information:
People: This can include individuals recorded as offenders, suspects or victims; and the organisations they belong to.
Objects: Stolen property or other objects such as vehicle, telephone number, or email addresses.
Locations: This can include different types of data including addresses, a building or a physical feature.
Events: Every Person, Object and Location on the PND is linked to an Event. These events can include things like crime reports, a custody records, or an intelligence report that links two people.