2.7 Eighty seven per cent of applications (1.1 million) in 2002-03 were for Enhanced Disclosures. Such disclosures involve checking intelligence on local police force databases where the applicant has lived for the last five years. One third are sent to more than one police force. Currently police checks cost around £5.66 each, and with an average of 1.3 forces approached for each Enhanced Disclosure, the police cost is around £7.20.
2.8 Very few (0.17 per cent15) Enhanced Disclosure checks uncover additional information from local police force intelligence relevant to the application and which augments that which would appear on a Standard Disclosure. Prior to the establishment of the Bureau, the Metropolitan Police used to process 125,000 requests for police checks each year. Checks of intelligence databases other than the Police National Computer were only carried out on those where there was an existing record or in the case of those with no record if the post was deemed to be of high risk (for example, those cases involving fostering, adoption or childcare). Now, however, the Metropolitan Police carry out about 400,000 full police checks each year, of which only 0.5 per cent reveal relevant extra information. A new approach to improve the efficiency of the Bureau's access to local police intelligence is being piloted by the Bureau in collaboration with local police forces.
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15 Criminal Records Bureau analysis of a sample of one third of applications in December 2002.