Seeking Advice on Disclosing Deleted Police Caution in British Citizenship Application

[lolobobo2022]

Hello, I need some advice for a friend who is about to apply for British citizenship. In April 2011, he was caught shoplifting and received a Police Caution. However, in January 2023, he successfully requested the deletion of the caution through ACRO, along with his photo and fingerprints, from the police national computer. He's unsure whether he should disclose this caution in his citizenship application. I believe he should disclose it to avoid any issues, but he thinks he doesn't have to as it was challenged and deleted. Can anyone provide guidance on whether deleted cautions still need to be disclosed in the British citizenship application? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[alterhase58]

On what basis was the caution removed?

In any case, as this was recent it's probably better to disclose together with the action/background to having it removed.
There's always the possibility that non-disclosure could be viewed negatively in terms of the "Good Character" requirement, i.e. withholding information. If there was no basis for the caution and therefore it was removed then that's like not being charged/convicted with an offence following a complaint, it never happened. We don't know but removal from the PNC may not guarantee it isn't mentioned somewhere else ....

[contorted_svy]

Hello, I need some advice for a friend who is about to apply for British citizenship. In April 2011, he was caught shoplifting and received a Police Caution. However, in January 2023, he successfully requested the deletion of the caution through ACRO, along with his photo and fingerprints, from the police national computer. He's unsure whether he should disclose this caution in his citizenship application. I believe he should disclose it to avoid any issues, but he thinks he doesn't have to as it was challenged and deleted. Can anyone provide guidance on whether deleted cautions still need to be disclosed in the British citizenship application? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I would disclose exactly as you suggest and explain it was challenged and deleted. Possibly also expanding on the fact there were no other offences and his character has improved (if he actually did shoplift).