Hello All.

I have two questions to ask that hopefully will clear up a regional dispute two people I know are having. One friend claims that in the UK there one does not have to have an ID card with them at all times. If you are stopped by the cops, then you tell them where you live, and that is it. The other is that the UK does not keep credit scores the way they do in the United States. Are either of those two statements correct?

Thanks
Karen

I think the police one is true. Neil said that when he was younger he got stopped by the police a few times walking home from the bars and you just tell them where you live. The credit score thing I don't know about.

ok I just asked Neil...

At the moment as far as I know the national ID cards in the UK are still voluntary not mandatory. As for the credit scores I'm not sure but there are definite subtle differences. Like for instance non-payment back home puts you on the blacklist almost immediately

Credit score is not true. My hubby has excellent UK credit!

yeah, they definitely have a credit rating... when I first moved here it was a nightmare, as they don't check your credit rating in other countries, and while my rating in Australia is excellent, of course I had none in the UK... couldn't open a bank account, get a mobile phone; nothing
(that last led to some immensely frustrating - but somehow also amusing - scenes in the local Carphone Warehouse, where they wouldn't let me have a phone - I even offered to pay the amount in full, up front, instead of paying it by the month, but they really didn't know what to make of that, and ended up refusing me Needless to say, I got a phone on pre-pay in the end )

Thanks guys for the information. So I guess both sides where right in their argument . How does the UK deal with criminals if there is no mandatory id?

what do you mean? they arrest them and, after due process, put them in jail; what else would they do?

I was asking in response to the post where the man was stopped and since he had no id he just told the police where he lived. So if someone jumps bail and is later stopped for another reason, couldn't they just use a false name since an ID is not mandatory?

If you are stopped by the police and they don't arrest you, then they didn't need to know your real name. If they arrest you I am sure there are ways and means to find out. Also if they arrest you they can search your person, which would most likely reveal your driving license or bank cards. If you are in the car and stopped, you don't have to show your license, but the police will know who the car is registered to before they even speak to you.

Yes they could and they do, innevitably they get caught and another crime is listed to their charge sheet. If the police have any doubt as to a persons true identity they detain them. When they check an individual they will also check that the address is genuine through the control room. It happens but not many get away with it too many times. If you dont have your driving licence on you when stopped in the car, you are given a 'producer' which means you have about 5 days to appear at a police station with all your vehicle and licence documents, if not you go to court and get points and a fine.

Thanks to all for responding. Your responses really helped me understand in detail how the i.d.s are handled.
chispas