EU Set to End UK’s Access to SIS- EU Database of Criminal Suspects

The European Union may soon put an end to United Kingdom’s access to the Schengen Information System (SIS), an EU database through which the Schengen Member States share information millions of pieces of criminal suspects in order to help police across the continent.

Sources of the Guardian within the EU have told the newspaper that the British government has threatened the block to weaken security operation with it, if they do not grant the UK access to the major crime-fighting database, noting that it is impossible for non-EU countries to access the database.

As the British police use the SIS database every day, in the latest round of Brexit talks the UK negotiators have told the EU that basic access to the database is not enough for them, instead, demanding more access to the SIS II.

“The UK basically said it was not interested in what the EU suggested and that if they can’t have it, then they would rather have nothing. So, they are playing hardball,” an EU official said upon the video meeting.

Another source within the EU noted that the British negotiators did not show any interest “in anything that does not replicate the benefits of SIS II.”

Yet, the British side has another view of the situation, calling the comments of these officials “highly misleading” while at the same time not denying the rejection of the EU offer for basic access to the SIS.

“What we are seeking is a future internal security agreement with the EU which provides capabilities similar to those delivered by SIS II, but I’m afraid the EU’s alternative proposals on data sharing are nowhere near reminiscent of this and are of limited operational value,” the UK source said.

The Schengen Information System is a database run by the EU that functions as a basis for cooperation in law enforcement. It provides alert information for police, migration, justice and other authorities regarding missing people, criminal entities associated with crimes, as well as people banned from entering and staying in the Schengen Zone.

It was created in 1995 by countries that had abolished internal border controls. The UK, which remains an EU member until the end of the year, was granted with some access to the system in 2015.

UK police and border guards are the third heaviest users of the database, according to EU data, which notes the two together made 571 million searches in 2019 to look for wanted people or stolen goods.

On the other hand, the UK forces issued only 36,680 alerts on people and 259,824 on vehicles in 2019.

UK Demands Access in Other EU Security Databases

Previously in April, a leaked document on the assessment of the UK’s position in the final leave agreement, written by the German government noted that the British negotiators were demanding access to EU databases, deeming these requests impossible.

According to the report, the UK is trying to “approximate the position of a member state as closely as possible” when it comes to getting access to EU’s law enforcement agency Europol, Europol’s central intelligence database (EIS), and other security databases.

Germany has however opposed Britain’s request for such special access to these databases.

Draft Resolution on Future EU-UK Relations: No SIS Access for UK

A draft resolution on the future relations between the United Kingdom and the European Union presented in January this year, the first of its kind, asserted that the EU should not grant the UK with access to the Schengen Information system.

Written by the UKCG and led by MEP David McAllister, the draft resolution insisted that the UK’s access to the SIS should be cut off throughout the transitional period, as the country is now a third-country to the EU.

It also called on the UK authorities to take measures related to the serious deficiencies identified as regards its use of SIS immediately.

SchengenVisaInfo.com had reported in early January this year, that France and the Netherlands were among the EU countries voicing their shared concerns on the possibility that the UK may further abuse the EU databases, upon Brexit.