Daily Updates with RF Rizwan Farrukh
A high-tech watchdog is thought to be installed five years late to stop dangerous crooks from entering Britain. The criminal intelligence database says the system, which is known as Schengen Information System (SIS) II will be available to both the police and Border Agency from October 2014. However, during this delay more than 5,000 foreign fugitives who are wanted for crimes, murder and rapes across Europe have slipped into Britain. Many who are facing European Arrest Warrants have entered the UK under their own identity and have continued to carry out crimes here, which include violent attacks.
The new system will be linked to the Police National Computer System and flag up details on missing individuals, including children, stolen cars and firearms. The SIS II System, which was a total of £168million, will make it easier for the border officials and British police; as they will be able to share information with the rest of Europe about criminals and their moves. It was introduced in the rest of Europe in April 2013 and now contains more than 50 million alerts; according to the European Commission.
The SIS II System was destined to have been ready in 2009, but problems including legal action over the contract for installation came in the way. Home Office figures have shown; there were 5,184 criminals and suspects wanted on EAWs who were seized in Wales, England and Northern Ireland between the years 2009-2013. These numbers will increase before the SIS II becomes active in October.
Those who were seized – 40% were wanted for fraud and thefts (2,096) and 22% for violent attacks and robbery (1,161). 119 were arrested for murder, 521 for drug trafficking and 98 for rape.
A Home Office Spokesman said, “The SIS II computer network will make it easier for police and border officers across Europe to share information in real time about criminals, their vehicles and documents.”
Other European countries have had the original SIS System since the mid-1990s.
