This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6261949.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Reid faces MPs over crime files Reid faces MPs over crime files
(about 5 hours later)
Home Secretary John Reid is to face questions from MPs about the failure to provide police with details of crimes committed by Britons in Europe.Home Secretary John Reid is to face questions from MPs about the failure to provide police with details of crimes committed by Britons in Europe.
It emerged last week that the Home Office had a backlog of files on 27,000 cases which should have been entered onto the Police National Computer.It emerged last week that the Home Office had a backlog of files on 27,000 cases which should have been entered onto the Police National Computer.
An unnamed senior civil servant has been suspended over the episode. An unnamed senior civil servant has been suspended after offering information to an internal inquiry.
The civil servant faces disciplinary action after offering information to an internal inquiry.
The Home Office is expected to issue a statement on Monday.The Home Office is expected to issue a statement on Monday.
Mr Reid is planning a thorough overhaul of databases carrying details of criminal convictions, while ministers are also meeting officials from across Europe in the hope of encouraging more thorough notification of Britons committing offences.Mr Reid is planning a thorough overhaul of databases carrying details of criminal convictions, while ministers are also meeting officials from across Europe in the hope of encouraging more thorough notification of Britons committing offences.
The database review, subject to agreement by Cabinet colleagues, will include systems such as the police national computer, the Criminal Records Bureau and lists of football hooligans, as well as the way information is shared and exchanged between the UK, the rest of the EU and other countries.The database review, subject to agreement by Cabinet colleagues, will include systems such as the police national computer, the Criminal Records Bureau and lists of football hooligans, as well as the way information is shared and exchanged between the UK, the rest of the EU and other countries.
Shadow home secretary David Davis said the database review as a "desperate piece of news management". Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said the database review was a "desperate piece of news management".
Dresden meetingDresden meeting
Senior sources have told the BBC that Mr Reid's next priority is to get the police and probation services to assess and, if necessary, provide supervision for those offenders whose crimes were not logged on the police computer who are deemed a risk. Senior sources have told the BBC that Mr Reid's next priority is to get the police and probation services to assess and, if necessary, provide supervision for those offenders whose crimes were not logged on the police computer and who are deemed a risk.
Minister Joan Ryan is to meet EU counterparts in Dresden to discuss improving systems for sharing information.Minister Joan Ryan is to meet EU counterparts in Dresden to discuss improving systems for sharing information.
She is expected to ask for biometric information, such as fingerprints, to become part of the data on criminals passed between EU governments.She is expected to ask for biometric information, such as fingerprints, to become part of the data on criminals passed between EU governments.
Mr Reid and his ministers Ms Ryan and Tony McNulty have insisted they were not told of the backlog in notifications of British criminals' European convictions or police requests for resources to clear it.Mr Reid and his ministers Ms Ryan and Tony McNulty have insisted they were not told of the backlog in notifications of British criminals' European convictions or police requests for resources to clear it.
But they have accepted that meetings took place between department officials and the police about the problem. But they have accepted that meetings took place between department officials and police about the problem.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), which now has responsibility for updating police records, sent a letter to Mr McNulty in October warning of the difficulties in processing notifications. The Association of Chief Police Officers, which now has responsibility for updating police records, sent a letter to Mr McNulty in October warning of the difficulties in processing notifications.
Violent offencesViolent offences
That was passed on to Ms Ryan, who has responsibility for the Criminal Records Bureau.That was passed on to Ms Ryan, who has responsibility for the Criminal Records Bureau.
Of the 27,000 case files involved in the backlog, 540 were for serious or violent offences.Of the 27,000 case files involved in the backlog, 540 were for serious or violent offences.
It has been confirmed that four drug offenders and a people smuggler had passed Criminal Records Bureau checks to work with children or vulnerable adults.It has been confirmed that four drug offenders and a people smuggler had passed Criminal Records Bureau checks to work with children or vulnerable adults.
But no violent or sexual offenders appear to have slipped through the net.But no violent or sexual offenders appear to have slipped through the net.
And it is now thought that about 70 of those 540 serious offenders not logged on the system have been convicted of a further offence since returning to the UK.And it is now thought that about 70 of those 540 serious offenders not logged on the system have been convicted of a further offence since returning to the UK.
The head of the National Association of Probation Officers, Harry Fletcher, said others may have disappeared, changed their names or gone abroad again.The head of the National Association of Probation Officers, Harry Fletcher, said others may have disappeared, changed their names or gone abroad again.