PNC

General

The Police National Computer is a national database system used by police forces in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland to share information about persons, vehicles, crimes, and property. It holds records of previous convictions, pending prosecutions, missing persons, wanted persons, disqualified drivers, and other relevant information.

In practice

PNC checks are carried out by officers at the point of stop, arrest, or custody booking to identify suspects, confirm identity, and assess risk. The PNC is accessible through the Police National Database (PND) and mobile data terminals. Information on the PNC must be accurate and up to date; forces have a duty to update and remove entries in accordance with NPCC retention guidelines.

Related terms

PND
ANPR
Recorded crime

Last updated 24 September 2026