Catalogue description Home Office: Police National Computer (PNC Symbol) Series: Files

Plans for the Police National Computer (PNC) began in 1968 and the system was introduced in 1974. Since this time PNC has evolved to meet the ever changing needs of operational and intelligence led policing. PNC is the prime source of information for previous convictions, vehicle information, such as if a vehicle is stolen, and seven categories of lost and found property. It operates on a 24/7 basis to provide accurate and timely information for people who are wanted, missing, disqualified from driving, are a firearms certificate holder or have come to the notice of the criminal justice system, also vehicles and property of interest together with other useful information. The PNC is linked to a fingerprint identification system and the National DNA database. If a record exists, biometric information can be used to prove identity for missing or vulnerable persons and crime detection. PNC information is governed by the Data Protection and Misuse of Computers Acts.