Computer mistake sends driver behind bars (From Witney Gazette)

Computer mistake sends driver behind bars

2:17pm Friday 24th February 2006 in Witney By Samantha Simpson

A POLICE mistake led to an innocent driver from Hook Norton being arrested and locked up in a cell.

Sharron Barnes was pulled over in her Vauxhall Astra and arrested near Bicester on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.

Roads police officers stopped the scientist after her number plate was scanned and a warning flashed up on a computer system that the car was stolen.

Despite protests from Ms Barnes that she bought the car from a reputable dealer, she was arrested and put behind bars at Banbury Police Station.

Three-and-a-half hours later, police admitted there had been a mistake, and Ms Barnes, of Bell Hill, Hook Norton, was released without charge.

Thames Valley Police said the error had been made after information about the Vauxhall Astra had been incorrectly added to the Police National Computer, which holds a record of stolen vehicles, by Durham Cons- tabulary.

"I was in shock, and couldn't believe what was happening."

Sharron Barnes

The force had confused Ms Barnes's car with another vehicle stolen in County Durham six months ago.

Ms Barnes, who bought the car three months ago, and was on her way to work when arrested, said she had been upset at being stripped of her belongings and locked up in a cell.

She said it had been particularly 'humiliating' not being allowed out of the cell to go to the toilet, and being taken to her home in a police car to pick up her driving documents.

She added: "I was in shock, and couldn't believe what was happening."

Ms Barnes's number plate was scanned by an Automatic Number Plate Recognition camera. All roads policing cars are fitted with the cameras, which are linked to the Police National Computer.

Tim Wiseman, Thames Valley Police spokesman, said: "The Police National Computer holds data on stolen vehicles, their make, colour, registration and chassis numbers, and in this instance, everything pointed to the car being stolen.

"While this was investigated, the driver was held in custody, and, as at all custody suites, the duty sergeant has a responsibility that all arrested parties are held correctly prior to release or charge."

He said a full apology had been given to Ms Barnes, and police officers had driven her to collect her vehicle after her release on February 10, before offering to visit her workplace to 'clarify the situation'.

Durham Constabulary also apologised for the inconvenience caused to Ms Barnes.