Can the police keep my arrest on file?

[kevo2k7]

Just over 5 years ago i got really drunk and done something drunkenly stupid and was arrested for it, i was charged with criminal damage an given an £80 fine which i paid straight away, i was not charged for the the main thing that i was arrested for as the police knew i was so drunk that i couldnt even hardly walk or talk never mind do the crime, and i never knew why i had been arrested the next morning when waking up in the police cell, i had to ask the policeman why i had ben arrested. (the charge was burgalry as i had somehow mistaken my ex girlfriends neighbours (a few doors up) house with her house and gone in there an got my head down on the couch, no breaking an entry or nothing and everyone puzzled as to how i got in, including me) anyway since being pulled by the police twice in the last year, once on my bike an once on in my car. when they do a name check on me, the mood turns nasty as burgalry is showing up on my name along with criminal damage which i accept, but am i entitled to get the burgalry charge or whatever it is scrubbed completely as i wasnt charged for it and dont wish to be treated like a smack head by the police when i am in fact a hard working citizen who messed up one night through too much drink! cheers for any advice

[exdc]

Hello

Records of arrest will remain on the Police National Computer and local systems I am afraid and further enquiries will reveal that you were not charged or convicted for the offence.

[kevo2k7]

Hi exdc,
Many thanks for your reply, im gutted to hear this as the police have really come down hard on me as soon as they hear the info about the burgalry, it even caused me to get a £30 fine for riding my bike on a wide stretch of pavement last month, when in fact it was looking like i was just getting off with a warning before they checked up my history, do i have absolutely no rights at all regarding getting this scrubbed off the police database? would it be pointless going to a solicitors about this?
Cheers Kev

[exdc]

Hi Kevo

The problem here is that the information is correct i.e. you were arrested for burglary and that info has to remain on police records for various reason's but I do understand your concern's regarding possible discrimination etc.

(please note: I am not aware of any recent changes regarding the retention of such info on police database's).

If you experience further such incidents then you could raise your concern's with a duty inspector or professional standards etc.

When stopped by the police and are required to provide your details they commonly say some thing like 'are you known to the police', you could explain up front that you have previously been arrested on suspicion of burglary but released after an understanding was cleared up.

[kevo2k7]

Thanks again Ex
The police do ask me if im known to them and i do tell them yes but it was a long time ago and was a misunderstandment, but i cant bring myself to say Burgalry as its something that i feel disgusted in even mentioning as i cant stand burglars myself, so i just wait and hope that it doesnt show up on their database but sadly it does, i think i will take your advice in going to my local police station and seeing the chief super, and hopefully when he sees my distress he might just delete it off the computer for me, although i doubt he will do this as sadly i do have a scallyish look about me (shaved head, few scars from my teenage wild years etc) but one can live in hope i suppose. Thanks again for taking the time to give me advice, Ex.
Best Wishes Kev

[exdc]

Hi Kev

Just for your info, you are unlikely to be seen by a Ch/Supt regarding this matter but more likely an enquiry officer or Sgt / Insp and be informed of the reason's info is retained on the various recording systems. Again, it is very unlikely any info will be deleted. Sorry bud, but I dont want you to have any false hope.

[mrs.chappie]

Kev, is that you in your avatar?

[exdc]

Also, if you do get to speak to some one at the station, ask whether an offence of burglary was recorded at the time of your arrest and if there is then can they confirm that it was marked 'No-Crime' and a seperate offence of crim dam recorded and shown as 'detected'.

I will explain if need be.

[exdc]

Suspicion of what ?

[mrs.chappie]

It's terribly unfair to charge you with burglary if you didn't actually steal anything. Surely there's summat wrong there?

[exdc]

Hi Miss chappie, Kev was not charged with the burglary.

[exdc]

Oops Mrs chappie I mean.

[mrs.chappie]

Oops, sorry, I must be reading it wrong.

[mrs.chappie]

Oh yes, apologies, I've just re-read Kev's OP and 'burglary' is showing up even though he didn't burgle anyone.

Sorry for that misunderstanding, Kev.

[mrs.chappie]

God, that's awful bad luck isn't it. I do hope you will be able to get it sorted, Kev.

[mrs.chappie]

Which remark?

[exdc]

Hi Mrs Chappie

The use of word 'charge' or 'charged' can confuse people