Hampshire Constabulary
Chief Constable Alex Marshall
Police
Headquarters
Alexander Plough
West Hill
request-14475-
Romsey Road
[email address]
Winchester
Hampshire
SO22 5DB
Telephone: 0845 045 45 45
Our ref: HC/02309/09
Direct dial: 01962 814757
Your ref:
Fax No: 01962 871204
Deaf/speech impaired minicom: 01962 875000
Email: [Hampshire Police request email]
August 3rd 2009
Dear Mr Plough
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: HC/02309/09
Your request for information under the Freedom of Information Act was received by the
Information Compliance Unit at Hampshire Constabulary on 10th July 2009; I note you seek
access to the following information:
1. In the last 5 years, how many warrants for arrest have been issued for an
individual who has broken their probation licence conditions?
2. Out of this figure, how many were considered high priority, and/or considered
to pose a risk of harm to others?
3. Out of the total number of warrants issued per year, as stated in answer to (1),
how many of those individuals have been re-arrested?
4. Out of the warrants consider high priority, as stated in the answer to (2), how
many of those individuals have been re-arrested?
5. Out of the total number of warrants issued, as stated in the answer to (1), how
many of those individuals have re-offended while a warrant for their arrest was
active?
6. Out of the total number of warrants issued, as stated in the answer to (2), how
many of those individuals have re-offended while a warrant for their arrest was
active?
7. Referring to the individuals stated in answer in question (5), what crimes have
they committed while a warrant for their arrest was active?
8. Referring to the individuals stated in answer in question (6), what crimes have
they committed while a warrant for their arrest was active?
9. Please provide the following information about any individual who is the
subject of a warrant for arrest for breaking their probation licence conditions,
but who has not as yet been re-arrested:
• Names
• ages
• Last offence for which they received a custodial sentence.
www.hampshire.police.uk
Hampshire Constabulary
Chief Constable Alex Marshall
RESULT OF SEARCHES
Hampshire Constabulary does not hold this information in a retrievable format. The cost of
locating and retrieving the information exceeds the ‘appropriate level’ as stated in the
Freedom of Information (Fees and Appropriate Limit) Regulations 2004. It is estimated that
it would cost more than £450 to comply with your request.
During the period in question there have been three different computer systems. Currently
there is no search facility for the requested information, therefore a manual review would
need to be conducted on all three systems. Every single warrant on the system would have
to be read one by one to determine if any related to breach of probation. Each of the
warrants would have to be checked against PNC, the court systems and the Hampshire
Constabulary Records Management System to extract the requested information if
recorded. This search would not only be extremely time-consuming taking many weeks to
conduct but the information may not even be recorded as not all cases will be Hampshire
Specific.
In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000, this letter acts as a Refusal Notice
in respect of this part of your request.
You may wish to refine your request by narrowing down the search parameters – for
example, choosing a more refined date period such as one day, thereby significantly
reducing the number of records that would need to be manually searched to retrieve the
information you are seeking. Please note, however, that even if you were to refine your
request, the information retrieved may attract the application of exemptions contained within
the Freedom of Information Act.
You may also wish to refer your request to the National Offender Management Unit within
the Ministry of Justice at the following email address:
[email address]
COMPLAINT RIGHTS
Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet detailing your rights.
Thank you for your interest in Hampshire Constabulary.
Should you have any further inquiries concerning this matter, please write or contact Becky
Hill on telephone number 01962 814757 quoting the reference number above.
Yours sincerely
Becky Hill
Freedom of Information Decision Maker
www.hampshire.police.uk
Hampshire Constabulary
Chief Constable Alex Marshall
COMPLAINT RIGHTS
Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the decision is incorrect?
You have the right to require Hampshire Constabulary to review their decision.
Prior to lodging a formal complaint, you are welcome and encouraged to discuss the decision with
the case officer who dealt with your 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 your decision letter.
That person will be able to discuss the decision, explain any issues and assist with any problems.
Complaint
If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of Hampshire Constabulary made
under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding access to information, you can lodge a
complaint with Hampshire Constabulary to have the decision reviewed. Hampshire Constabulary
must be notified of your intention to complain within 2 months of the date of its response to your
Freedom of Information request. Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:
Freedom of Information
Information Compliance Unit
Police Headquarters
West Hill, Romsey Road
Winchester
Hants SO22 5DB
In all possible circumstances, Hampshire Constabulary will aim to respond to your complaint within 3
months.
The Information Commissioner
If, after lodging a complaint with Hampshire Constabulary, you are still dissatisfied with the decision,
you 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 545 700
www.hampshire.police.uk
