Making a Freedom of Information Request
For a request to be valid under the Freedom of Information Act, the following criteria must be met:
- The request must be made in writing
- It can be made by letter, fax or email
- It must contain a return address (this can be an email address)
- It must clearly identify the information being sought
- It must be legible
- Can be made from anywhere in the world
- Can be made by an individual or an organisation
To be valid under the Freedom of Information Act, requests do not:
- Have to be written on a special form
- Need to mention the Act
- Need to refer to 'Freedom of Information' in any way.
Durham Constabulary is under a duty to provide advice and assistance to anyone seeking information.
Handling Freedom of Information Requests:
Requests for information will be considered in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000. An Applicant will receive a response within the statutory timescale of 20 working days as defined by the Act, subject to the information not being exempt or containing reference to a third party. In some circumstances Durham Constabulary may be unable to achieve this deadline. If this is likely, an Applicant will be informed and given a revised timescale at the earliest opportunity.
There may be a fee payable for the retrieval, collation and provision of the information you requested. If this is the case, an Applicant will be informed and the 20 day working timescale will be suspended until payment is received. If an Applicant chooses not to make payment then the request will remain unanswered.
Some requests may also require full or partial transference to another public authority in order to answer queries in the fullest possible way. Again, an Applicant will be informed if this is the case.
Complaint Rights:
If an Applicant is unhappy with how a request has been handled or think the decision is incorrect, they have the right to require Durham Constabulary to review their decision.
Prior to lodging a formal complaint, an Applicant is welcomed and encouraged to discuss the decision with the case officer who dealt with the request.
Ask to have the decision looked at again –
The quickest and easiest way to have the decision looked at again is to telephone the case officer that is nominated at the end of the decision letter.
That person will be able to discuss the decision, explain any issues and assist with any problems.
Complaint:
If an Applicant is dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of Durham Constabulary made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding access to information, they can lodge a complaint with Durham Constabulary to have the decision reviewed.
Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:
Freedom of Information Section
Information Compliance Unit
Information Department
Police Headquarters
Aykley Heads
Durham
DH1 5TT
In all possible circumstances, Durham Constabulary will aim to respond to complaints within 1 month.
The Information Commissioner:
If, after lodging a complaint with Durham Constabulary, an Applicant is still dissatisfied with the decision, they may make application to the Information Commissioner for a decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act (2000).
For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner, please visit their website at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk. Alternatively, phone or write to:
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF
Telephone: 01625 545700
Contact Details:
Requests made to Durham Constabulary under the Freedom of Information Act should be sent to:
The Information Compliance Unit
Information Department
Police Headquarters
Aykley Heads
Durham
DH1 5TT
Telephone: 0191 375 2487
E-mail: freedomofinformation@durham.pnn.police.uk
