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For people with criminal records
For people with criminal records

‘I was going round in circles.’ A battle to get PNC records changed

It can be a battle to get a change to the police national computer, but, says Pete, it’s worth it.

An old-fashioned playground roundabout. It has a green metal central point, with blue, yellow and red spokes radiating outwards. We can see the wooden slats that make up the floor of the roundabout. The photo has been taken on a slant to give the impression of movement. The roundabout fills the whole frame, adding to a feeling of being trapped on a fast-spinning object.

I was convicted of a serious offence 13 years ago but have since turned my life around. However, until recently this offence had never been an issue with employment, simply because I didn’t declare it.

I started a new job and after four months into the job my position then required a DBS check and certificate. I applied for a Basic DBS certificate. To my horror, my conviction from 13 years prior was on it, normally a conviction that becomes spent after 11 years. Whilst my conviction was serious, it did fall into the spent category.

At this point I contacted Unlock for advice and they agreed that the conviction should be shown as spent on any Basic DBS check but advised me that due to some of the wording on the police national computer (PNC) this conviction was still showing as active.

Going round in circles

I contacted the police who said it was down to DBS to alter the wording. DBS referred me back to the police. Who then referred me to Crown Court. Who then referred me back to the police who then … and I think you get the picture!

I was going round in circles.

Complaint to the IOPC

Eventually I decided to make a complaint to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) who promptly brought my issue to my local constabulary.

Now having gotten the IOPC involved, they were now willing to listen. After weeks of stress and back and forth they finally agreed it was their responsibility. They altered the wording on the PNC so that the correct timeline for the conviction was now adhered to.

I now have a clear Basic DBS certificate which will help me with not only my current employment but potentially future employment.

Stick to your guns

I really want to emphasize how important it is to not bury your head in the sand and stick to your guns. If you suspect or are unsure about an issue relating to your previous convictions then your first port of call should be Unlock.

The gentleman who advised me I can’t thank enough. Having someone on your side that actually knows about the law is a great asset.

So once again thankyou Unlock for your assistance and all you guys do.

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