PNC Markers

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.24.041588

I note you seek access to the following information:

Please provide some materials setting out the various different warning markers available for use on the PNC that may be added to people’s records along with some description or guidance on how and when they are supposed to be used and what they all mean.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

A person record on PNC can contain up to 20 warning signals, which can be a mixture of the below;

AG – Alleges - This signal may be used to warn staff dealing with the individual that they may make false or unwarranted allegations against the police. It may be appropriate to create a separate signal for each time such an allegation is made to assist in the review process.

AT – Ailment - This signal may be used to cater for both ailments and disabilities. The ailment may be temporary or permanent and will provide advice to anyone dealing with the subject that they may suffer from a medical condition and/or require medication, e.g. epileptic, alcoholic, heart condition. This should not be used to record minor medical conditions which have no relevance to the future care of the individual in custody and may not be used to record HIV or AIDS. Wherever possible, medical evidence should be obtained to support the information.

CL – Conceals - May conceal items when placed into Custody, including mobile phones, lighters etc. all of which pose an issue to health and safety of officers and individuals, or could have a detrimental effect on the investigation of crime. The text must include the item and where it was concealed. It should not be used where the concealment refers to weapons or drugs, as this information should be added to the weapons or drugs markers accordingly. It may be appropriate to create a separate signal for each time a concealment is identified to assist in the review process.

CO – Contagious - The individual may be a hazard to others as a carrier of disease which is contagious. This warning signal may be particularly useful in drawing a custody officer’s attention to a detainee who is suffering from hepatitis or Scabies. Although use of this signal for short term illnesses is not recommended, it is acceptable in cases of Covid-19/Coronavirus for the length of time that restrictions have been imposed on the subject, in conjunction with an OI MISC report. HIV or AIDS is not considered to be contagious in the context of this signal. Wherever possible medical confirmation of the nature of the disease or condition would be advantageous.

DR – Drugs - May be in unlawful possession of a controlled drug. The purpose of this signal is to alert anyone dealing with this person that they may have drugs with them. The type of drug or the reason for the possession should be recorded. The signal is not restricted to supply or production. It may for example be used to bring attention to the fact that they may have needles in their pockets. This warning signal may also be used to highlight that the subject has taken action to obstruct searching under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, i.e. they swallow drugs. Under Mandatory Drugs Testing legislation a person can be tested for heroin, cocaine or crack cocaine whilst in custody. If this is positive a DR warning signal must be created. Suggested text for this would be POSITIVE DRUGS TEST - <name of drug> as appropriate. Certain prescription drugs can give false readings however, and forces must have a system in place to remove the marker immediately if the positive drugs test is rescinded.

ES – Escaper - This signal is intended to indicate that the subject may attempt to escape from custody. Evidence of previous escape attempts along with details of those attempts should be recorded. Custody or HMP staff may take additional precautions, particularly when transporting such an individual.

FI – Firearm - Intelligence or Conviction information exists to suggest that the individual has used, may use or possess firearms or imitation firearms for the purpose of committing crime.

IF - F/Impers - (Historical – can only be viewed/deleted, cannot be created/amended) The subject who was born a male may impersonate a female (cannot occur on Female record). If after review this warning signal needs to be retained it should be changed to IMPRSNATES.

IM - M/Impers - (Historical – can only be viewed/deleted, cannot be created/amended) The subject who was born a female may impersonate a male (cannot occur on male record). If after review this warning signal needs to be retained it should be changed to IMPRSNATES.

IS – Imprsnates - The subject may impersonate a person, profession, occupation, trade, vocation, e.g. police or ambulance. Can also be used to refer to individuals who groom others on the internet.

MN - Mentl Hlth - The subject is known to suffer from a mental condition or disorder. Psychiatric confirmation may be desirable. Likely behavioural activity or risks should be recorded.

SH - Self Harm - This signal should be used where information suggests that the subject may cause harm to themselves, but where the harm is not considered to be a suicide attempt. Self-mutilation history or deliberate harm in order to support allegations against the Police would be appropriate.

SU - Suicidal - Previous history or threats (not idle threats) indicate that the individual may make a determined effort to commit suicide. Information such as method likely to be used would be desirable. This signal is not restricted to suicide attempts while in custody.

VI - Violent - This signal can be used to indicate that an individual may be violent. It is not restricted to violent behaviour towards police alone. It may for example be used to indicate previous domestic violence or violence towards particular groups of people. A conviction for a common assault alone would not normally warrant a violent warning signal. It should be remembered that to record a signal for any minor violent act could undermine the effectiveness of this marker. This signal may be recorded for an individual who uses the fact that they are or may be suffering from a serious condition, such as HIV/AIDS or Covid-19/Coronavirus, to threaten police or other key workers by coughing, spitting or using another bodily fluid.

WE – Weapons - The individual has used a weapon to commit an offence or intelligence suggests that they may carry a weapon unlawfully. It may also be used to indicate if blades etc are deliberately secreted about their person when in custody. The type of weapon and information as to where it might be concealed should be recorded.

XP - Explosives - May possess explosives for a criminal purpose.