Services

What Does “Removing Police Records” Mean?

Police records include arrest events, cautions, reprimands, conditional cautions, fingerprints, DNA profiles and data held by the ACRO Criminal Records Office and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

• Under the “Record Deletion Process” an individual can apply to have certain types of non-conviction or caution records deleted from the Police National Computer (PNC). 

• However, court convictions generally cannot be removed from the PNC except in very limited cases. 

• Many cautions or out-of-court disposals may still appear on DBS checks or Enhanced Criminal Record Certificates unless successfully reviewed or deleted. 

Why Choose Us for Record Deletion & Review?

• Our London-based solicitors specialise in criminal defence and understand the legal and practical issues around police records, caution filtering, and disclosure of criminal history.

• We provide clear advice on whether your record is eligible for deletion, filtering or appeal and explain what removals might mean for employment, visas, insurance and reputation.

• We act promptly—time and documentation matter when applying for deletion or making representations to the police or ACRO.

• We handle full applications: subject access requests, review of police and PNC records, submission of deletion or filtering applications, negotiation with police forces, and judicial review if necessary.

• Transparent funding: we explain private fee options upfront so you know your costs and options.

Our Services – Record Removal & Criminal History Advice

Eligibility Review & Subject Access

We check your police/PNC records, advise whether you have a caution, arrest or out-of-court disposal, review whether it appears on DBS checks, and assess whether deletion or filtering is possible.

Application for Record Deletion

We prepare your application to ACRO and/or your local police force to have non-conviction data, arrest records or cautions removed or stepped down, where applicable.

Advice on DBS, Disclosure & Filtering

We advise on how your record affects standard, enhanced and overseas checks; when cautions/convictions become spent or filtered; and how to challenge incorrect disclosures. 

Key Eligibility Criteria & What You Should Know

• Only certain types of records can be deleted: generally non-conviction outcomes, police caution/warning, arrest events with no charge or conviction. Convictions remain unless successfully appealed. 

• There is no automatic right to delete records; the police or ACRO must agree, and it remains discretionary. 

• A record deletion or filtering application does not guarantee that all references to your record will disappear (e.g., enhanced DBS).

• Employment, professional licensing, visa or immigration implications often hinge on how your record appears on checks — specialist legal advice is critical.

• Even if records are deleted from the PNC, locally held records (custody images etc) may still remain unless separately challenged. 

Process, Timescale & Fees

1. Initial consultation — we assess your history, identify records likely to appear, evaluate eligibility for deletion or filtering, provide funding advice.

2. Documentation & strategy — we obtain your subject access request, review PNC/ACRO data, prepare evidence and arguments supporting deletion or filtering.

3. Application submission — we submit the correct forms, liaise with police forces/ACRO, respond to queries, monitor progress and advise on interim steps.

4. Outcome & next steps — we inform you of decision, advise on any residual risks (checks, disclosures) and help you manage post-outcome consequences (employment, visas, DBS).Timescale: Varies depending on complexity, force response and type of record — we’ll give you a realistic estimate at the start.Fees: We provide transparent fixed-fee or structured-fee options, and explain whether legal aid applies.

FAQs – Removing Police Records UK

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