The complainant requested copies of emails which had been sent to certain domains. Gwent Police initially stated that the information requested was exempt under section 40(2) (Personal information) of the FOIA. In its internal review, Gwent Police applied section 12 (Cost of compliance) to the request. During the Commissioner’s investigation Gwent Police withdrew reliance on … Continue reading Gwent Police (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 23 Feb 2022

The complainant requested information about particular fraud reports and associated fraud charges. Northumbria Police refused to provide the requested information, citing section 12(1) of FOIA (cost of compliance), as to do so would exceed the appropriate cost and time limit. Although Northumbria Police revised its cost estimate during the course of the Commissioner’s investigation and … Continue reading Northumbria Police (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 5 Oct 2021

The complainant has requested from Greater Manchester Police (‘GMP’) information about a meeting. Having initially advised the complainant that the requested information was not held, during the Commissioner’s investigation GMP located and disclosed some information; some exemptions were applied but these were not queried by the complainant. The Commissioner’s decision is that GMP breached section … Continue reading Greater Manchester Police (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 2 Feb 2022

The complainant has requested information about Humberside Police’s policies and procedures relating to Body Warn Video. The Commissioner’s investigation established that Humberside Police held information falling within the scope of the request which it did not disclose when responding to the request. The Commissioner’s decision is, therefore, that by failing to disclose information which was … Continue reading Humberside Police (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 10 Jun 2020

The complainant requested statistical information on disciplinary recommendations made against police officers, from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The IOPC refused to comply with the request, citing section 22 (Information intended for future publication) of FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that the IOPC was entitled to rely on section 22 of FOIA to … Continue reading Independent Office for Police Conduct (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 15 Feb 2022

The complainant has requested evidence considered in a police misconduct investigation which had been reported in the media. Hampshire Constabulary withheld the information, citing section 30(1) (Investigations and proceedings) and 40(2) (Personal information) of the FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that Hampshire Constabulary was entitled to rely on section 30(1)(a)(i) to withhold the information. However, … Continue reading Hampshire Constabulary (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 31 Jan 2022

The complainant requested information about a specified Court of Appeal case. The Crown Prosecution Service (the ‘CPS’) refused to provide the requested information. It initially cited section 40(2) (personal information), but ultimately relied on section 32(1)(c) (court records, etc) of FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that the CPS has properly relied on section 32(1)(c) to … Continue reading Crown Prosecution Service (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 10 Jan 2022

The complainant requested information relating to ‘stop and search’ activities. Bedfordshire Police provided some information but refused to provide the remainder, citing sections 24 (national security) and 31 (law enforcement) of FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that Bedfordshire Police has failed to demonstrate that either exemption is engaged. The Commissioner requires the public authority to … Continue reading Chief Constable of Bedfordshire Police (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 27 Sep 2021

Refusal To Confirm or Deny Citations: [2022] ScotIC 096 – 2022 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: Scotland Information Updated: 10 November 2022; Ref: scu.682256

The complainant has requested from Northumbria Police information related to communications it held in relation to a demonstration that took place on 5 September 2020. Northumbria Police refused to comply with the request, stating that it would exceed the cost limit under section 12(1) of FOIA to do so. The Commissioner’s decision is that Northumbria … Continue reading Northumbria Police (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 11 Jan 2022

The complainant requested information about the total police hours spent in each local authority between April 2018 and April 2019. Humberside Police failed to respond to the request within 20 working days and has therefore breached section 10(1) of FOIA. The Commissioner requires Humberside Police to provide a response to the request. FOI 10: Complaint … Continue reading Humberside Police (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 17 Jul 2019

The complainant has requested information about an incident in which a member of the public was seriously injured by a police dog when Avon and Somerset Constabulary (ASC) shut down an illegal rave. ASC withheld the information, citing sections 30 (Investigations and proceedings), 31 (Law enforcement), 38 (Health and safety) and 40 (Personal information) of … Continue reading Avon and Somerset Police Authority (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 8 Feb 2022

The complainant requested information from South Wales Police (‘SWP’) about policies and training concerning authorisations made under section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. By the date of this notice SWP had not issued a substantive response to this request. The Commissioner’s decision is that SWP has breached section 10 of … Continue reading Chief Commissioner of South Wales Police (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 24 Jan 2022

The complainant requested information regarding the status of the post designated ‘Mental Health Coordinator’. Staffordshire Police ultimately provided the complainant with information within the scope of the request. The Commissioner’s decision is that, in failing to communicate that information within the statutory time for compliance, Staffordshire Police breached section 10(1) (time for compliance) of the … Continue reading Staffordshire Police (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 14 Jul 2021

The complainant has requested copies of problem profile assessments related to child sexual exploitation from Staffordshire Police (SP). Having initially cited section 14 (Vexatious or repeated requests) to refuse to respond with the request, SP subsequently advised that to comply with it would exceed the appropriate limit at section 12 (Cost of compliance exceeds appropriate … Continue reading Staffordshire Police (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 15 Jul 2021

The complainant has requested information about services it has provided overseas from City of London Police (COLP). COLP disclosed some of the requested information but, after revising its position, withheld the remainder under the exemptions at sections 23(1) (Information supplied by, or relating to, bodies dealing with security matters) and 24(1) (National security). The Commissioner’s … Continue reading City of London Police (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 17 Aug 2021

The complainant requested copies of correspondence between the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and the Home Secretary between 1 June 2020 and 31 July 2020. The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) had failed to provide a substantive response by the date of this notice. The Commissioner’s decision is that the MPS failed to respond to the … Continue reading Metropolitan Police Service (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 15 Jun 2021

1. The complainant requested information from Dyfed-Powys Police about a photograph containing the image of an individual. Dyfed Powys Police refused to confirm or deny whether it held the information requested by virtue of section 40(5) of the FOIA. 2. The Commissioner’s decision is that Dyfed Powys Police correctly applied section 40(5) to the request. … Continue reading Dyfed Powys Police (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 17 Aug 2021

The complainant has requested information about a campaign Merseyside Police ran to encourage people to report hate crime. The Commissioner’s decision is that Merseyside Police failed to respond to the request within 20 working days and has therefore breached section 10 of the FOIA. The Commissioner requires Merseyside Police to issue a substantive response, under … Continue reading Merseyside Police (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 17 Jun 2021

The complainant has requested from Hertfordshire Constabulary information about someone he believes to be a police officer. Hertfordshire Constabulary would neither confirm nor deny whether it held the requested information, under section 40(5B)(a)(i) (Personal information) of the FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that Hertfordshire Constabulary was entitled to rely on section 40(5B)(a)(i) to neither confirm … Continue reading Hertfordshire Constabulary (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 2 Aug 2021

Citations: [2012] EWHC 1681 (Admin) Links: Bailii Jury Updated: 03 November 2022; Ref: scu.460879

The complainant submitted a three part request for information about religiously aggravated hate crime to Thames Valley Police (TVP). TVP said that the requested information was exempt from disclosure under sections 30(1)(a) and (b) (Investigations and proceedings) and 40(2) (Personal information) of the FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that TVP was not entitled to rely … Continue reading Thames Valley Police (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 2 Aug 2021

The complainant has requested from the Metropolitan Police Service (the ‘MPS’) details of officer misconduct hearings which have been published on the force’s website and removed after 28 days. The MPS refused to disclose the requested information finding that it was exempt by virtue of section 40(2) (Personal information) of the FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision … Continue reading Metropolitan Police Service (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 12 Jul 2021

Citations: [2012] EWHC 639 (Admin) Links: Bailii Jury Updated: 01 November 2022; Ref: scu.460469

The complainant requested information from the MPS about a specified document. The MPS has failed to respond to this request. The Commissioner requires the MPS to provide the complainant with a response to this request in accordance with its obligations under FOIA. The MPS must take these steps within 35 calendar days of the date … Continue reading Metropolitan Police Service (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 23 Jun 2021

The complainant requested information from Sussex Police about noise level testing. Sussex Police has failed to respond to this request. The Commissioner requires Sussex Police to provide the complainant with a response to this request in accordance with its obligations under FOIA. Sussex Police must take these steps within 35 calendar days of the date … Continue reading Sussex Police (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 7 Sep 2020

The complainant has requested correspondence about policing a vigil for Sarah Everard from the Metropolitan Police Service (the ‘MPS’). The MPS advised that to respond to the request would be burdensome and it refused to do so citing section 14(1) (Vexatious requests) of the FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that the MPS breached section 10(1) … Continue reading Metropolitan Police Service (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 2 Feb 2022

The complainant has requested details regarding a press statement from the Metropolitan Police Service (the ‘MPS’). The MPS advised that to ascertain whether or not all of the requested information is held would exceed the appropriate limit at section 12(2) of the FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that it was entitled to cite the appropriate … Continue reading Metropolitan Police Service (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 15 Jul 2021

Judges: Mr Justice Henshaw Citations: [2022] EWHC 2424 (Admin) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Police Updated: 28 October 2022; Ref: scu.681972

The complainant has requested a full copy of an investigation report from Bedfordshire Police (BP). BP directed him to information published about the investigation but refused to provide a copy of the full report citing section 40(2) of the FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that section 40(2) is properly engaged. No steps are required. FOI … Continue reading Bedfordshire Police (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 17 Mar 2021

The complainant has requested information about attendance at activated alarms from Cumbria Constabulary (the ‘Constabulary’). The Constabulary advised the complainant that it does not hold the requested information. The Commissioner’s decision is that, on the civil standard of the balance of probabilities, the requested information is not held. No steps are required. FOI 1: Complaint … Continue reading Cumbria Constabulary (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 12 Oct 2020

Citations: [2010] NIIT 03906 – 03IT Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: Northern Ireland Employment Updated: 27 October 2022; Ref: scu.433226

The complainant has requested details about the Project Alpha database from the Metropolitan Police Service (the ‘MPS’). The MPS provided some of the requested information but refused the remainder citing the exemptions at sections 31(1)(a) and (b) (Law enforcement) of the FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that section 31(1) is properly engaged and that the … Continue reading Metropolitan Police Service (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 10 Jun 2021

The complainant requested information about the number of reported incidents for a specified rail network and time period. British Transport Police (‘BTP’). BTP advised that to comply with the request would exceed the appropriate limit at section 12 of FOIA. The complainant did not consider that BTP had provided him with adequate advice and assistance … Continue reading British Transport Police (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 15 Jun 2021

Judges: Mr Justice Plender Citations: [2008] EWHC 331 (Admin) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Police Updated: 26 October 2022; Ref: scu.343932

The complainant requested information from Sussex Police about traffic offence data. Sussex Police has failed to respond to this request. The Commissioner requires Sussex Police to provide the complainant with a response to this request in accordance with its obligations under FOIA. Sussex Police must take these steps within 35 calendar days of the date … Continue reading Sussex Police (Police and Criminal Justice) IC-51721-P9P0: ICO 1 Oct 2020

The complainant requested information about a death in police custody. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (‘the IOPC’) refused to comply with the request on the grounds that it was vexatious within the meaning of section 14(1) of the FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that the IOPC was entitled to rely on section 14(1) of … Continue reading Independent Office for Police Conduct (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 7 Oct 2020

TBG was released on licence from a life sentence for murder, but was made subject to a Sexual Harm Protection order. He now appealed against that order. Held: The appeal failed. Judges: Lord Justice Dingemans (Vice-President of the King’S Bench Division) And Mr Justice Johnson Citations: [2022] EWHC 2665 (Admin) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and … Continue reading TBG v A Chief Constable of Police: Admn 21 Oct 2022

Application seeking judicial review of the decision of the Kent Police Authority relating to the appointment of independent members. Judges: Mr Justice Collins Citations: [2009] EWHC 2291 (Admin) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Police Updated: 25 October 2022; Ref: scu.428351

The complainant requested information from Northumbria Police about its application a legal test. Northumbria Police failed to respond to this request within the 20 working day time scale of the FOIA. FOI 10: Complaint upheld Citations: [2021] UKICO IC-89850 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Information Updated: 25 October 2022; Ref: scu.662959

The complainant requested information from Northumbria Police about the status of staff. Northumbria Police failed to respond to this request within the 20 working day time scale of the FOIA. No steps are required. FOI 10: Complaint upheld Citations: [2021] UKICO IC-89430 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Information Updated: 25 October 2022; Ref: scu.662958

Judges: The President of the Queen’S Bench Division (Sir Brian Leveson) Mr Justice Irwin Citations: [2014] EWHC 452 (Admin) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Police, Human Rights Updated: 25 October 2022; Ref: scu.521642

The complainant requested information from the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire (OPFCC) relating to the role of a named individual within the Civil Disclosure Unit. The OPFCC refused to comply with the request, citing section 14(1) (vexatious request) of the FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that the request was … Continue reading Office of The North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (Other): ICO 27 May 2021

The complainant requested information about how Staffordshire Police recorded an incident of theft that he had reported. Staffordshire Police refused to disclose the information under the FOIA, citing the non disclosure exemption at section 40(2) (personal information). However, it disclosed most of the complainant’s own personal data to him under the subject access provisions of … Continue reading Staffordshire Police (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 27 Apr 2021

The complainant has requested Special Branch reports from 1937 from the Metropolitan Police Service (the ‘MPS’). The MPS advised that it did not hold the requested information. The Commissioner’s decision is that, on the civil standard of the balance of probabilities, the requested information is not held. No steps are required. FOI 1: Complaint not … Continue reading Metropolitan Police Service (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 7 Jun 2021

Judges: Mrs Justice Heather Williams Citations: [2022] EWHC 2514 (KB) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Jury Updated: 23 October 2022; Ref: scu.681921

The complainant has requested details about an event involving an MP from Sussex Police (SP). Having initially refused the request citing sections 30(1) (Investigations and proceedings) and 40(2) (Personal information), SP subsequently disclosed the requested information with redactions for personal information under section 40(2) of the FOIA. The complainant did not dispute the redactions, but … Continue reading Sussex Police (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 23 Nov 2020

The complainant requested information from Sussex Police about Stalking Protection Orders. Sussex Police has failed to respond to this request. The Commissioner requires Sussex Police to provide the complainant with a response to this request in accordance with its obligations under FOIA. Sussex Police must take these steps within 35 calendar days of the date … Continue reading Sussex Police (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 13 Oct 2020