Easy read privacy notice
Note: this is the easy read summary of (and not a substitute for) the full, standard version of our privacy notice. View the full version.
Durham Constabulary collects and stores a lot of personal information. There is a law called the Data Protection Act which sets down rules about how people’s personal data is allowed to be used. Durham Constabulary has to obey this law. This document will tell you what information we collect, how we use it, how we keep it safe and how you can ask us about it. This is called a privacy notice.
What does Durham Constabulary mean by personal information?
Durham Constabulary collects and use your information so that we can carry out policing. The information we collect is called personal data. Durham Constabulary also collect 'special category' information which is sometimes sensitive. An explanation of 'special category' data can be found on the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) website. Great care is taken to make sure this information is only used when it absolutely necessary to make sure you are protected.
Only information that is necessary for us to do our job and make sure you are protected is collected. Your information is only shared when it is absolutely necessary and only if our partners have agreed to keep your information safe and secure and only use it for valid reasons.
Why does Durham Constabulary use your information?
As well as details of criminals, Durham Constabulary also keeps details of victims and witnesses so that we can protect those that need our help. Only the minimum amount of personal information is kept to allow us to do our jobs. Durham Constabulary keeps this information securely, either electronically on a computer system or in paper records.
What information does Durham Constabulary hold?
This depends on why you have had contact with us, it can be something simple like your name and address, or what you look like. A full list can be found on our full, standard privacy notice. Sometimes, Durham Constabulary will get information about you from other agencies, such as social services, local businesses or your school. All the information given is treated with the same level of security.
Your information is kept safe and secure. It is only accessed by our staff or others who are working on our behalf. Durham Constabulary will make sure that your personal information is handled fairly, lawfully and only shared with partners who will use it for valid reasons.
Who does Durham Constabulary share your information with?
Durham Constabulary will only share your information with organisations that have signed an agreement to keep it as safe and secure as we do. Each person that wants to look at your details will have to put security in place to make sure it is safely stored. We only share information that needs to be shared to help us help you.
The security of your personal information is taken very seriously, and we follow the laws relating to security. We make sure that appropriate policies, training and security measures are in place, including making sure our buildings are secure and protected.
How long will Durham Constabulary keep your personal information?
Everyone in Durham Constabulary understands the need to keep your information safe. All our staff are trained and our access to personal information is monitored. We only access your information when it is necessary to do so and we cannot just look at it because we want to.
Information about you is collected for different reasons, and we only keep it for as long as we need to for the reason it was collected. If you would like to read more about this, please visit the ACRO website.
Can I see the information Durham Constabulary has on me?
Yes, you or a parent or guardian can contact Durham Constabulary and ask us to share your information with you free of charge (depending on why we have your information, we may not be able to share all of it). This is called a subject access request. If you want to see the information we have about you, then more information can be found on this website and you can put a request in by filling out this online form. If the information is wrong or something is missing, you can let us know and we will correct it.
If you feel that we should not be keeping your information, you can tell us, and we may be able to delete it from our records. We can talk to you about this if you write to the Data Protection Officer (details are given below).
What age do I need to be to ask Durham Constabulary to give me information or change or delete my information?
Durham Constabulary will consider each request individually. If you are able to understand your rights and write to us, it is likely that we will be able to deal with your request. Sometimes we may need to seek your parent or guardian’s permission to do what you have asked us to do.
Who can I speak to about my information?
Durham Constabulary has a designated Data Protection Officer. This person will help to make sure that we follow the law when using personal data. Anybody with concerns over the way Durham Constabulary handles their personal data may contact our Data Protection Officer at the address below. If you want to contact us to ask about how Durham Constabulary handles your personal data or if you need to know more about the information contained within this Privacy Notice, you may contact the Data Protection Officer (DPO), by telephoning us or emailing us on the number or email address below:
Telephone: 0191 3752582
Email: [email protected]
The way Durham Constabulary uses personal data is checked by an organisation called the Information Commissioner’s Office. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office if you are unhappy with the way Durham Constabulary handles your personal information. You can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office by telephoning them on the number below or by visiting their website.
Telephone: 0303 123 1113