A new database intended to facilitate the work of UK intelligence and police could lead to innocent citizens being "wrongly penalised," Josie Appleton, Director of the Manifesto Club charity campaigning against government's "hyperregulation" of society, told Sputnik.
LONDON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 05th October, 2018) A new database intended to facilitate the work of UK intelligence and police could lead to innocent citizens being "wrongly penalised," Josie Appleton, Director of the Manifesto Club charity campaigning against government's "hyperregulation" of society, told Sputnik.
The potential new Law Enforcement Data Service, otherwise known as LEDS, will compile information gleaned from the Police National Computer, a system holding information on criminal convictions, and the Police National Database, itself partly used to house information on intelligence and organized crime.
"We have done quite a lot of work on the vetting database, and this is a shambles that has led to many innocent people being wrongly penalised," Appleton said.
The only information the police should have on a person is convictions and cautions on the Police National Computer, information that has been proven in court, she stressed.
"This is a classic question of trying to solve every problem by the creation of a vast new database, as if having more information of questionable quality flying around was the answer. It will merely mean that police hunches and misinformation are given the credence of information, which will lead to innocent people being pursued," she argued.
Earlier this week, UK Home Office refuted concerns of the campaigners, saying that the LEDS will ensure existing law enforcement capabilities retained.
