Policing - in brief (7)
01 March 1995
DNA criminal database starts in April: The world's first criminal DNA database is scheduled to come into operation in Britain on April 10. Ben Gunn, the chief constable of Cambridgeshire who is responsible for DNA matters for the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), said that 135,000 people are expected to be logged on the database in its first year. The database has the capacity to store up to five million profiles and nearly four million people could be on it by the year 2000. The database has cost the Home Office ?4 million to set-up and running costs for the first year are estimated at £5.4 million. Guardian 17.3.95.
Animal rights activists targeted: The Metropolitan police, following discussions with the Association of Police Chief Officers (ACPO), have set-up a national police unit to target animal rights activists. The unit will liaise with provincial police forces and will be headed by an officer of ACPO rank. The unit will take over its duties from the Special Branch.
Greece: Police chief suspended: Greek Public Order Minister Stelios Papathemelis suspended the heads of the Attica and Athens police after a demonstration of old age pensioners was broken up by riot police using tear gas. The Minister apologised and condemned the police violence. The pensioners had tried to break through a police cordon outside the Prime Minister's official residence. Balkan News, 19.3.95.
CS gas tests go ahead: The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) sub-committee on self-defence, arrest and restraint has arranged for tests to be carried out on the suitability of the use of CS gas sprays by British police and the decision has been backed by the Home Secretary. The decision follows his rejection of pepper sprays because they may cause cancer or other health risks. Mr John Stevens, the Chief Constable for Northumbria told the local Police Federation: "I say to the Home Office give us CS gas and give is pepper sprays too.
We are the people that use them, we should be the people that decide what is best". The Home Office says that CS gas cannisters will be carried for "self defence reasons, not for dealing with disorders", though the same press statement draws attention to the fact that around 5,500 assaults on police officer occur when dealing with disputes - including over 2,500 "when officers are attending public order incidents" Police Review, 17.3.95; 7.4.95, italics added; 14.4.95; Home Office press release, 13.4.95.
Government agencies to use Police National Computer: The Home Secretary has agreed that information stored on the Police National Computer can be used by agencies to vet potential employees to see if they have a criminal record. Those to be granted access are: the Ministry of Defence, the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), the Security Service (MI5), the UK Atomic Energy Authority, the Home Office and the Department of Trade and Industry. Home Office Minister David McLean said: "Where the preliminary search indicates that the subject has a criminal record the departments or agencies would ask the National Identification Service - formerly the National Identification Bureau - to supply the record itself". Police Review, 7.4.95.