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Criminal Records Bureau

Answer

The following table details the total number and percentage of enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks that took over 28 calendar days to issue for the period 1 January 2010 to 31 August 2010. September figures are not yet available as 28 calendar days have not yet elapsed since the end of this month. Figures for September will be available from the bureau from 28 October.

Application form received month	Total enhanced CRB checks received	Total enhanced CRB checks despatched after 28 days or still in progress	Percentage over 28 days
2010
January	282,738	98,285	34.8
February	352,462	130,406	37.0
March	411,374	174,498	42.4
April	323,130	127,577	39.5
May	345,044	117,253	34.0
June	388,810	124,515	32.0
July	362,762	115,853	31.9
August	259,183	73,405	28.3

The length of time a CRB check can take to process can include ““time out with customer””. This occurs when the CRB has to contact the registered body for additional information about the applicant, when the application form has not been completed correctly or where the police require additional clarification about the applicant's identity. The CRB cannot continue to process the application until the registered body provides this information; or the applicant resolves any question of identity to the satisfaction of the police force.There are a number of other factors that can affect the timely completion of CRB checks, including but not restricted to the length of time it can take for an employer to deal with the initial application; the accurate completion of the application form; the clarity of the information provided; the existence of conviction or non-conviction information; any ongoing or outstanding criminal investigations or proceedings; where more than one force holds relevant information and the operational effectiveness of the Disclosure Units of the police forces involved in the CRB checking process.The CRB have been working with police forces through joint operational performance reviews, to address the problems associated with delays and the impact that exceptional demand for CRB checks can have on police forces. The CRB has set up improvement plans with those forces that have been having problems meeting the demand for certificates. This is aimed at maintaining a steady output of applications on the system while also reducing the number of outstanding cases that have been with police forces for more than 25 days.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

18619; 517 c499-500W

Session

2010-12

Related items

Vetting: Standards
Friday, 19 November 2010
Written questions
House of Commons

Criminal Records Bureau
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Written questions
House of Commons

Subjects

Standards Vetting Criminal Records Bureau

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk