UK opts-in to plan to share evidence between EU police

BBC NEWS - DOMINIC CASCIAN

Home Secretary Theresa May says the UK will opt in to an EU order allowing foreign police to be given evidence held in the UK. The European Investigation Order makes it easier for police to investigate suspects living in each other's states.

Critics predict forces will end up wasting resources working on unjustified investigations that breach civil liberties.

Under the current system, EU police forces who want to investigate a suspect in another member state ask their counterparts for help through special agreements called Mutual Legal Assistance.

Campaign group Fair Trials International has also warned that EIOs could be used to compel British police to gather information including DNA samples and bank records.