The Demise of the Criminal Records Bureau

Abstract

This article critically analyses the operations of the Criminal Records Bureau (‘the CRB’) and seeks to determine why the Bureau closed abruptly in December 2012. It questions whether the decision to open in March 2002 was expedient, in light of the apparent flaws in the operational assumptions made by Capita Plc, the successful bidder for the CRB contract, and the long-standing problems with the criminal records data. The article then identifies three key failings in the administration of the criminal records checks which it is submitted quickly and decisively eroded public and political confidence in the Bureau. The article concludes by considering who, if anyone, is responsible for the apparent failure of the CRB, and what lessons might be learned by the organisation which replaced it.