Report Summary
Issued 20 June 2024, this FOI response confirms that SPA Forensic Services received no enquiries from Police Scotland custody division to forward fingerprints of asylum seekers to New Scotland Yard.
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Request
To whom it may concern, procedures in Scotland stipulate that all arrested foreign national offenders, including asylum seekers, will be photographed, fingerprinted and subject to the taking of samples in the same way as any other arrested person. When an asylum seekers’ fingerprint impressions have been obtained, the relevant custody supervisor should contact staff at the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and arrange for a copy of the fingerprints to be sent to New Scotland Yard.
As such, can you tell me:
1) In each of the last three financial years (up to 31 March 2024) and so far this financial year, how many times has the SPA sent asylum seekers’ fingerprint impressions to New Scotland Yard? Please break the figures down for each year. Please also state how many individuals had their fingerprint impressions sent in each year (to confirm the number of individuals involved each year).
2) If possible, please provide a breakdown for the last year to give an indication as to the types of crimes committed by the asylum seekers whose fingerprint impressions were provided to New Scotland Yard.
