18GRetention of samples etc: national security

1

This section applies to—

a

relevant physical data taken from or provided by a person under section 18(2) (including any taken or provided by virtue of paragraph 20 of Schedule 8 to the Terrorism Act 2000),

b

any sample, or any information derived from a sample, taken from a person under section 18(6) or (6A) (including any taken by virtue of paragraph 20 of Schedule 8 to the Terrorism Act 2000),

c

any relevant physical data, sample or information derived from a sample taken from, or provided by, a person under section 19AA(3),

d

any relevant physical data, sample or information derived from a sample which is held by virtue of section 56 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003, and

e

any relevant physical data, sample or information derived from a sample taken from a person—

i

by virtue of any power of search,

ii

by virtue of any power to take possession of evidence where there is immediate danger of its being lost or destroyed, or

iii

under the authority of a warrant.

2

The relevant physical data, sample or information derived from a sample may be retained for so long as a national security determination made by the relevant chief constable has effect in relation to it.

3

A national security determination is made if the relevant chief constable determines that is necessary for the relevant physical data, sample or information derived from a sample to be retained for the purposes of national security.

4

A national security determination—

a

must be made in writing,

b

has effect for a maximum of 2 years beginning with the date on which the determination is made, and

c

may be renewed.

5

Any relevant physical data, sample or information derived from a sample which is retained in pursuance of a national security determination must be destroyed as soon as possible after the determination ceases to have effect (except where its retention is permitted by any other enactment).

6

In this section, “the relevant chief constable” means the chief constable of the police force of which the constable who took the relevant physical data, or to whom it was provided, or who took or directed the taking of the sample, was a member.