Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, section 27

Fingerprinting of certain offenders

Part III Arrest

F103(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F103(1A). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F103(1B). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F103(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F103(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for recording in national police records convictions for such offences as are specified in the regulations.

[F104 (4A) In subsection (4) “conviction” includes—

(a)a caution within the meaning of Part 5 of the Police Act 1997; and

(b)a reprimand or warning given under section 65 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.F104]

F105(4A). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5)Regulations under this section shall be made by statutory instrument and shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Cases considering section 27 9

QSA & Ors, R. (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department & Anor

[2020] EWCA Civ 130 · 10 February 2020Defines

The court identified section 27(4) as empowering regulations for recording convictions in national police records. That statutory framework was relevant to the Article 8 challenge to indefinite retention, which was remitted for merits determination. (see paras [17]-[19]; [56]-[57]) The court noted that the provision extends the meaning of conviction to cautions, reprimands and warnings, explaining the scope of the recordable-offence scheme. (see para [17])

Chief Constable of Humberside Police & Ors v The Information Commissioner & Anor

[2009] EWCA Civ 1079 · 19 October 2009Interprets

The provision authorised regulations governing convictions recorded in national police records. Its permissive character did not prevent maintenance of the Police National Computer from being a lawful public function (see paras [23]; [74]-[76]).

Regina v. Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police (Respondent) ex parte LS (by his mother and litigation friend JB) (FC) (Appellant)Regina v. Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police (Respondent) ex parte Marper (FC)(Appellant) Consolidated Appeals

[2004] UKHL 39 · 22 July 2004

The House identified this as one of the principal provisions authorising the taking of fingerprints in regulated circumstances involving suspicion of a criminal offence.

What each judgment says about section 27 is in the case-law panel in the full Act.

Amendments and notes

4 notes from legislation.gov.uk

Amendments

  1. F103S. 27(1)-(3) repealed (7.3.2011) by Crime and Security Act 2010 (c. 17), ss. 6(3), 59(1); S.I. 2011/414, art. 2(e)
  2. F104S. 27(4A) inserted (1.7.2012) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), ss. 85, 120 (with s. 97); S.I. 2012/1205, art. 3(w)
  3. F105S. 27(4A) repealed (1.4.2003) by 2001 c. 16, ss. 137, 138(2), Sch. 7 Pt. 2(1); S.I. 2003/708, art. 2(i)(m)

Modifications

  1. C302S. 27(4) power extended (25.5.2018) by Data Protection Act 2018 (c. 12), ss. 199(2), 212(1) (with ss. 117, 209, 210); S.I. 2018/625, reg. 2(1)(g)