A first step towards a national database of police force information was officially launched by the Home Office.
I-PLX, the interim police local cross referencing database, is an important development, according to the Home Office, in vetting and security checks and represents a significant advancement in the protection of the vulnerable.
The information held on the I-PLX database will supplement the existing process for Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks. Itwill highlight if any force, not just those where the applicant has lived, holds relevant information about an applicant. This will reduce the CRB’s reliance on an applicant providing their previous addresses and providing a fuller picture of information across the country.
I-PLX marks a significant milestone, it is claimed in the sharing of information across the criminal justice system.
What they say
Baroness Scotland, Home Office Minister with responsibility for the CRB, said: "The implementation of I-PLX will significantly enhance the current vetting system. This was highlighted by Sir Michael Bichard in his report following the tragic events of Soham. The Government has made clear its commitment to facilitating the recommendations in Sir Michael’s report and I am pleased that, with the launch of I-PLX, this has now begun."
Vince Gaskell, Chief Executive of the CRB, said: "The successful implementation of I-PLX is not only a significant development for the CRB, but an important step forward in the protection of children and the vulnerable. I-PLX will increase access to local police force information. In the future, and subject to legislation, I-PLX will enable the CRB to add new data sources, as recommended by Sir Michael, more easily and quickly."
About the Criminal Records Bureau
The CRB provides access to criminal record information through its disclosure service. It enables organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors to make safer recruitment decisions, it is claimed, by identifying candidates who may be unsuitable for certain work, especially that involving children or vulnerable adults. The CRB was established under Part V of the Police Act 1997. I-PLX is a stand alone database, developed and maintained by the CRB with its private sector partner, Capita. Forces will feed nominal information (names, addresses, dates of birth) into the database and periodically update and refresh this information. CRB will cross refer each Enhanced Disclosure application against this database to identify which, if any, force holds information on the applicant. If an applicant’s data matches those of a record on I-PLX, the force(s) that holds that intelligence information will be contacted to consider its release as part of the Disclosure service. Nominal Data will be provided by each force from a range of relevant police systems, including Intelligence, Custody, Crime (suspects and offenders only), Domestic Violence (suspects and offenders only), Firearms (refused and revoked certificate holders only) and Child Protection systems. The CRB will issue its six millionth Disclosure in March 2005. Sir Michael Bichard’s full report is available at:
