Databases Police beat officers get?

anewman

Just reported a crime with a car involved (breaking and entering and removing property then putting it in the car and driving off). Gave the police the exact reg number but as it was dark could not tell exactly what type of car it was, although saw reg number clearly from headlights and rear numberplate lights. Police said they checked the reg and they had no record of it, and that I must have misread a digit. I checked it on confused.com and DVLA vehicle tax enquiry websites and found it instantly. As a matter of routine do the police only check the dodgy car database (stolen/suspected of crime etc)? I'm just intrigued how the Police should have access to more info than I on the net but it seems they don't.

sassy_one

They use an internal database.

For example, they more than likely check PNC (Police National Computer) for your report.

But they do have a few other databases, such a 'Live Scan' when someone is arrested and brought into Police custody for processing.

PNC is used for most inquires such as person checks, wanted checks and recording information about someone or property, although they may have never been arrested or had contact with Police.


Live Scan is only used when someone is brought into Police custody rather than PNC which is used daily by officers out and about!

The database the Police used to check the registration plate you gave was more than likely checked on PNC - in which case showed no trace - which means there is no reports on the car (stolen/lost/damaged) and the owner has 'yet' to report it

anewman

Yes that must be it. But I kind of thought once the car reg was given the police would somehow magic the name and address of the owner and go round and pay them a visit to ask where the items in the car/their house are from. It's rather strange if a Private Parking Company can grab your details on a whim for £2.50 but the Police has no automatic right of access.

I told the Police I thought it was X brand of car but could not tell with any certainty due to dark, but looking on the net found out I was correct.

barnabee

Seems most likely that the operator or controller who took your call may have input the incorrect details on PNC. Did you telephone or report in person?

If they gave you a reference/incident/log number recontact them via the non emergency telephone number for you area and ask them to check the incident log to verify that the vehicle details you provided have been recorded accurately. If you don't have a reference they do have methods of recalling the incident onto their screen.

There may be other reasons that the operator may have told you that your information was inaccurate but that's would not be for discussion here.

Sir_Roger_deLodger

anewman wrote: »

Police said they checked the reg and they had no record of it, and that I must have misread a digit.

Which roughly translated means "We couldn't be arsed as there is no profit in nicking burglars."
You should have told them the car had four bald tyres and no tax disc, they'd have found it in seconds.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

More likely they couldn't be arsed doing anything about it. Years ago I was knocked from my bicycle by a car, the registration of which I saw and remembered perfectly. I had two witnesses also.

The civilian desk woman at the police station disappeared for a few minutes and returned to tell me that they couldn't find a record of the car, and that was that. No investigation, no looking at nearby CCTV cameras, nothing. Not interested.

My respect for the police dropped massively that day.

anewman

barnabee wrote: »

Seems most likely that the operator or controller who took your call may have input the incorrect details on PNC. Did you telephone or report in person?

Telephoned, they checked the details twice and then officers attended, and it was the officers who told me it wasn't coming up with anything.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

Years ago I was knocked from my bicycle by a car, the registration of which I saw and remembered perfectly. I had two witnesses also.

The civilian desk woman at the police station disappeared for a few minutes and returned to tell me that they couldn't find a record of the car, and that was that.

Strange that you could have filled in a form from the DVLA saying he parked on your land along with a £2.50 fee and they'll have been more than happy to tell you the registered keeper's name and address.

hethmar

Did you contact them again after you had found the details on the net?

Ian_W

sassy-one wrote: »

The database the Police used to check the registration plate you gave was more than likely checked on PNC - in which case showed no trace - which means there is no reports on the car (stolen/lost/damaged) and the owner has 'yet' to report it

That's only about 30 years out of date!!

PNC did start off as a lost/stolen, wanted/missing stand alone database in the mid70's but by 1980 or earlier a vehicle check included the keeper and vehicle details as held by DVLA. Even then it was available within a minute or so, not bad considering mainframes had less computing power than a modern PC and it was accessed by dial-up technology. To-day, i imagine it's instantaneous and probably includes MID and MOT databases.

OP I can only suggest you recontact the police to make an official complaint that your crime report is not being properly investigated. As the vehicle is being used in crime, there may be reasons for the number to be "hookey" but that wouldn't explain why it comes up on confused or DVLA.

stclair

Dont they use VODS & MID too.

King_Nothing

Sir_Roger_deLodger wrote: »

Which roughly translated means "We couldn't be arsed as there is no profit in nicking burglars."
You should have told them the car had four bald tyres and no tax disc, they'd have found it in seconds.

You forgot about none of them wearing seatbelts, and the driver talking on his mobile phone as well :rotfl: