'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman
Taxman wants power to fingerprint suspects | The Register
HM Revenue and Customs wants stronger powers to investigate tax crime including authority to take fingerprints to avoid delays in finding a police constable, the right to charge suspects, and simplified procedures for obtaining search warrants...
HMRC has no powers of arrest and detention for ex-Revenue matters. This "leads to a number of difficulties", says HMRC, including problems obtaining police support. It already has powers of arrest for offences that would previously have been within HMCE's remit.
Arranging for a constable to take a suspect's fingerprints can cause delays and "can raise logistical and security issues", adds HMRC in its consultation.
" Comments on any aspect of this consultative document are welcome.. Comments should be received by 1 November 2006.
Comments should be sent
by e-mail to: powers.review-of-hmrc@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
or by post to: HMRC and Criminal Investigation Powers, Room 1C/03, 1st
Floor, 100 Parliament Street, London SW1A 2BQ
or by fax to: 020 7147 2460
The Review team can be contacted by telephone on: 020 7147 2401"
I feel as an old Moonraker I ought to comment that I don't care if rules make life a little difficult for the Taxman, they are there to protect us and should only be loosened for the strongest reasons - you may wish to add your own comments.