THE Criminal Records Bureau was set up in 2002 to enable employers to check the backgrounds of potential workers.

But the bureau struggled to meet a boom in demand, leading to months of delays in processing applications.

Schools were left facing a staffing crisis with headteachers forced to take on staff without full clearance.

In April the Wiltshire Times revealed how two Trowbridge schools had applications dating back to September 2002.

The CRB carries out two levels of checks to vet people applying to work with children or vulnerable adults.

A standard disclosure includes details of all convictions, spent and unspent, as well as formal cautions, reprimands and warnings, all logged into the police national computer.

An enhanced check looks at records held by local police forces, which should include minor incidents like anti-social behaviour or allegations of offences.

Home Secretary David Blunkett has ordered an independent inquiry into how Ian Huntley got a job in a school, despite multiple allegations of rape, indecent assault and underage sex made against him.