Merseyside Police has been criticised as one of the worst forces in the UK for updating the police's national computer with court case results.

A report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) said less than 70% of court case results from Merseyside make it onto the computer network.

The computer - used for information by all the forces in the country - details arrests, convictions and acquittals.

In March 2001, forces across the UK were taking an average of 55 days to enter details of arrests and summonses, against a target of 24 hours.

However, the HMIC report made it clear that on Merseyside more than a quarter of court results do not make it on to the computer at all.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said the force is taking steps to address the issue.