Link to IOC for full Decision notice pdf file: Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) (Police and criminal justice) [2025] UKICO 348038 (6 May 2025)
The complainant requested from Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI), information relating to the numbers of reported crimes and incidents against badgers (includes baiting, sett disturbance and destruction, trapping, snaring, poisoning and shooting) and clearance rates for the financial years 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 (to date) The Commissioner's decision is that the information requested is environmental and therefore PSNI should have dealt with the request under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 ("the EIR") and not the FOIA. The Commissioner requires PSNI to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation. Reconsider and respond to the complainant's request dated 12 October 2024 under the EIR. The public authority must take these steps within 30 calendar days of the date of this decision notice. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner making written certification of this fact to the High Court pursuant to section 54 of the Act and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.