UK deletes 150,000 fingerprint, DNA and arrest records from national police database

"Labour has launched a blistering attack on 'this shambolic Government' after a massive data loss from police records.

The Home Office accidentally deleted 150,000 fingerprint, DNA and arrest records from a national police database during a weekly data purge.

Minister for Policing, Kit Malthouse, blamed 'human error' for the data wipe that has thrown the UK visa system into chaos.

Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds demanded urgent answers from Priti Patel and accused ministers of jeopardising public safety.

He said in a statement: 'The Home Secretary must take responsibility for this serious problem.

'She must – urgently – make a statement about what has gone wrong, the extent of the issue, and what action is being taken to reassure the public. Answers must be given.

'This is an extraordinarily serious security breach that presents huge dangers for public safety.

'The incompetence of this shambolic Government cannot be allowed to put people at risk, let criminals go free and deny victims justice.' "

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