Information Commissioner's Office

Derbyshire Constabulary

15 February 2007, Police and criminal justice

The complainant made requests for over 50 pieces of information to the member organisations of Derbyshire Safety Camera Partnership (‘DSCP’). The requests were made over a total of 19 occasions and were all related to an alleged road traffic offence. The complainant received relevant information and advice in relation to his requests, until he made a request dated 7 March 2006 to Derbyshire Constabulary. This request was considered by the police to be vexatious and repeated. DSCP responded on behalf of the Constabulary and refused to provide information citing section 14 of the Freedom of Information Act. The Commissioner considered that the requests were made to different DSCP partners, each separately recognised by the Act, and determined that the requests could not be aggregated for the purpose of applying section 14. In an attempt to resolve the complaint informally the Constabulary was asked to reconsider its refusal and to supply to the complainant the requested information. The Constabulary agreed to this proposal and provided the complainant with additional information. The Commissioner’s decision is that initially the Constabulary failed to comply with section 1 (1) of the Act, inappropriately relying on section 14. However, following his intervention, further information has now been supplied to the applicant and the Commissioner is satisfied that the Constabulary has now complied with the requirements of Part I of the Act. Therefore he has not ordered the Constabulary to take any steps.

FOI 1: Upheld