HC Deb 28 November 1984 vol 68 cc489-90W
Mr. Cohen

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why, when polariod photographs of persons arrested in connection with the current mining dispute are taken in police stations, two photographs are taken; to what precise use each is put; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Giles Shaw

I understand that the practice of taking a polaroid photograph of an arrested person—usually with the arresting officer—is intended to ensure that there is no confusion as to the identity of the arrested person or the officer who made the arrest. This photograph would normally be kept with the case papers or charge sheet and would be destroyed after any court proceedings. I am not aware that it is general police practice to take two polaroid photographs. The police may, however, take a second photograph with a conventional camera of an arrested person for the purpose of local records. Such a photograph would be destroyed if the person was not proceeded against or was acquitted. When photographs are destroyed, it is normal police practice for this to be done in the presence of the person if he requests.

Mr. Cohen

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for reports from the relevant chief constables as to whether information on the number of people taken to police stations during the current coal mining strike who have been detained overnight is stored in any police computer; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Giles Shaw

No. Information about persons detained overnight is kept in records compiled manually. I am not aware of any instance in which it is stored on a computer.

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