(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order, which comes into force on 2nd March 2009, amends Part V of the Police Act 1997 and makes consequential amendments to the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 in respect of applications made to the Secretary of State for a criminal records certificate or an enhanced criminal records certificate.
Regulations 3 and 4 insert new provisions into sections 113A and 113B of the Police Act 1997 which have the effect that an application made under those sections need not be countersigned if the application is submitted electronically in accordance with conditions and requirements determined by the Secretary of State. Regulation 21 provides that any application submitted electronically under these new provisions is deemed to have been made in the prescribed form.