Recurring concern

Unreliable GMP computer system for safety-critical information

First to latest report 12 May 2015 — 15 Apr 2016

Reports that mention this concern
2
Times this concern has been raised
2
Stated actions linked to this concern
4

What this concern includes

Includes failures of the GMP computer system and its directly associated workflows that impair classification, recording, retrieval, accessibility or timely use of safety-critical information, including occupation details and other information needed for risk assessment.

What is not included
  • Excludes generic police information-sharing, staffing, training or communication deficiencies where the GMP computer system is not the deficient control.
  • Excludes failures of other named police systems, including the PNC, CAD, Merlin or Lorenzo, unless the assertion explicitly concerns the GMP computer system.
  • Excludes failures to act on complete and accessible GMP computer-system information when the system itself operated reliably.
  • Excludes non-safety-related administrative or technical problems that do not affect police risk assessment or operational decisions.

Reports and published responses 2 reports

See individual reports that have raised this concern, and the actions taken in response

  1. Manchester South

    AI-generated summary

    Adele Blakeman · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Adele Blakeman, who had a history of mental health difficulties and self-harming behaviour, died after taking her own life at Gateley Railway Station on 28 September 2015. The substantive concerns included failures in police information recording and access, classification and escalation of the call, timely allocation of resources, and understanding of the role of the Missing Persons Unit.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Failure of the GMP computer system to provide officers with timely access to important information

    Wider context from the report

    “1. The GMP computer system hinders officers and does not afford them easy access to important information within the time scales they have available to them, in order for them to adequately assess a situation. Concerns around the efficiency of GMPs antiquated computer system have been raised now on a number of occasions and have featured in several inquests ”

    Source location

    Adele Blakeman · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Replace separate command, control, custody, intelligence, work allocation and property systems through the IS Transformation Programme.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “GMP is investing significantly in the replacement of technology through the IS Transformation Programme to replace existing separate command and control, custody, intelligence, work allocation, and property systems with one user experience and a more intelligence information management process that enables partner agency information sharing (iOPS). The programme will also improve integration of components outside of these core systems, replace ageing data warehouse capabilities and moving to a data centre managed externally by a reliable supplier. Also as part of this programme of work, mobile technology is being distributed to operational staff which is already demonstrating through a pilot site a significant forwards step in information access, input, and decision-making.”

    Source location

    2016-0145-Response-by-Greater-Manchester-Police
    Page 1 · response
    Published 15 April 2016

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Distribute mobile technology to operational staff to provide frontline officers direct access to GMP systems and information.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “GMP is investing significantly in the replacement of technology through the IS Transformation Programme to replace existing separate command and control, custody, intelligence, work allocation, and property systems with one user experience and a more intelligence information management process that enables partner agency information sharing (iOPS). The programme will also improve integration of components outside of these core systems, replace ageing data warehouse capabilities and moving to a data centre managed externally by a reliable supplier. Also as part of this programme of work, mobile technology is being distributed to operational staff which is already demonstrating through a pilot site a significant forwards step in information access, input, and decision-making.”

    Source location

    2016-0145-Response-by-Greater-Manchester-Police
    Page 1 · response
    Published 15 April 2016

    Open published response

  2. Manchester South

    AI-generated summary

    Paul Mc Guigan · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Paul Mc Guigan was shot and unlawfully killed by a close protection work colleague on 9 August 2009 while both were working as armed private security contractors in Baghdad. The report identified missed opportunities and failings in managing the offender’s escalating offending behaviour and risk, and stated that G4S had not adequately vetted him before deployment. Concerns also included failures in information sharing, recording bail conditions, police disclosure processes, and the supervision and risk assessment of offenders.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Lack of recording of offenders' bail conditions

    Wider context from the report

    “I heard evidence that in respect of GMP systems and processes there was nowhere on the GMP computer system where bail conditions are recorded, although this used to be possible. It is of concern that there is no system of recording on the GMP computer of offenders bail conditions so that this information can be known by officers and appropriately shared. ”

    Source location

    Paul Mc Guigan · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Use nationwide Libra and Portal systems to record bail conditions accurately and consistently.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “A major contributory factor to the tragic sequence of events that resulted in the murder of Paul McGuigan was the failure by agencies involved properly to record and share information about the residence condition in ████████ bail order. In 2009, bail conditions were recorded manually. This proved to be problematic in ████████ case, as his bail conditions were not recorded accurately or consistently and were overlooked by the offender manager as well as by partner organisations and additionally by the court at a subsequent appearance. We have taken steps to ensure accurate recording of conditions by introducing two nationwide ICT systems – Libra for magistrates’ courts and Portal for the Crown Court. Staff have been trained in the use of these systems and we will remind them of the importance of accurate recording of bail conditions on these systems in all cases.”

    Source location

    2015-0185-Response-by-Greater-Manchester-Police-NOMS-SIA
    Page 5 · response
    Published 12 May 2015

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Remind staff to record bail conditions accurately on Libra and Portal in every case.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “A major contributory factor to the tragic sequence of events that resulted in the murder of Paul McGuigan was the failure by agencies involved properly to record and share information about the residence condition in ████████ bail order. In 2009, bail conditions were recorded manually. This proved to be problematic in ████████ case, as his bail conditions were not recorded accurately or consistently and were overlooked by the offender manager as well as by partner organisations and additionally by the court at a subsequent appearance. We have taken steps to ensure accurate recording of conditions by introducing two nationwide ICT systems – Libra for magistrates’ courts and Portal for the Crown Court. Staff have been trained in the use of these systems and we will remind them of the importance of accurate recording of bail conditions on these systems in all cases.”

    Source location

    2015-0185-Response-by-Greater-Manchester-Police-NOMS-SIA
    Page 5 · response
    Published 12 May 2015

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Greater Manchester Police is responsible for responding specifically about its handling of the individual’s bail conditions.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Finally, you raise a concern in relation to the recording and sharing of the bail conditions imposed on Daniel Fitzwilliam in May 2009. Greater Manchester Police will need to respond specifically in relation to their handling of this. More generally, all bail conditions are recorded by the court. Where necessary, agencies are informed immediately of the nature of such conditions. The conditions and their practical effect should be made clear to the defendant.”

    Source location

    2015-0185-Response-by-Home-Office
    Page 2 · response
    Published 12 May 2015

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    The current PNC process is considered a tried and tested reliable system for identifying bail conditions, despite occasional human error.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “I am entirely satisfied with the current process in GMP. It is clear that the official reference point for bail conditions is the PNC. Whilst there will always be errors in human systems, we have a tried and tested reliable system.”

    Source location

    2015-0185-Response-by-Greater-Manchester-Police-NOMS-SIA
    Page 2 · response
    Published 12 May 2015

    Open published response

Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.

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Data last updated 7 September 2026