Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2009/04/18/crb_online_checks/

Criminal Records Bureau launches e-disclosure service

Potential Akelas' criminal records to your inbox

By Kablenet

Posted in Legal, 18th April 2009 06:02 GMT

The Criminal Records Bureau has introduced an e-application system to enable organisations to apply for bulk criminal records checks

The electronic application system, known as e-Bulk, will enable those who make more than 3,000 checks a year to make multiple applications and receive the results online.

Each year the CRB completes more than 3.5m checks against criminal records and lists of those barred from working with the vulnerable, with 50% of applications coming from just 265 organisations.

According to the CRB e-Bulk will reduce the average processing time by about five days. It claims there will be fewer forms to complete and inaccuracy will be reduced because all information sent via e-Bulk is automatically checked.

e-Bulk was developed in response to user feedback in 2007, which revealed more than two-thirds of organisations wanted to be able to submit multiple applications online and more than four-fifths would like to submit single applications via the web.

Organisations that have already registered for the new service include local authorities, church agencies, the Registered Nursing Home Association, the Scout Association and Girlguide UK.

Adele Townsend, CRB director, said: "The launch of our first electronic application system represents a significant milestone for the CRB and demonstrates our commitment to make all of our services accessible electronically."

This article was originally published at Kablenet.

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