RESOURCES DIRECTORATE
Corporate Support & Information Services - Data Protection
Police Headquarters, Saunders Lane, Hutton, Preston PR4 5SB

Tel: 01772 413327 Fax: 01772 412123 Email: [Lancashire Constabulary request email]

Mr Paul Darlington

Via WhatDoTheyKnow.com

By Email: [FOI #1767 email] Date 29^th August 2008

Dear Mr Darlington

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION APPLICATION REFERENCE NO: 1287/08

Thank you for your request for information received by Lancashire Constabulary on the 13^th August 2008, which was as follows:-

The incident with which I am concerned occurred between 18.20 and 18.40 hrs, Thursday 7th August 2008 on the M6 northbound in Lancashire between junctions 33 (Lancaster South) and 35 (Carnforth).

A marked Mercedes Benz M-class registration number PJ 52 EPE was observed travelling consistently at very high speed well in excess of the prevailing (70 mph) limit. The vehicle was not displaying flashing blue lights nor alternate headlight flashing.

Please will you explain the nature of the mission upon which the driver was engaged and specifically why it was necessary to proceed at a speed so significantly in excess of the rest of the traffic.

If the vehicle was responding to an emergency, why were warning lights not used?

If the vehicle was not so responding, is it Lancashire Constabulary's policy to condone the use of excessive speed (and fuel consumption) in the course of general police duties?

Unfortunately due to the nature of your request I feel it does not constitute a valid request (as per Section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000) as it is seeking an explanation or an opinion, rather than seeking information `held' by the Constabulary.

Under the Constabulary's Duty to Assist Applicants (set out in the Act's Codes of Practice), I have determined that the vehicle is based at Northern Division's Road Policing Unit in Garstang. Therefore, I feel it would be more appropriate to refer this matter to the officer in charge of the unit - contact details are as follows:-

Northern Division Road Policing Unit
Garstang Police Station
Moss Lane
Park Hill
Garstang
Lancashire
PR3 1HB

Alternatively, if you do not receive a satisfactory outcome from the Road Policing Unit you may wish to forward your concerns on to the Constabulary's Professional Standards Department, whose contact details can be found overleaf.

Professional Standards Department
Lancashire Constabulary Headquarters
PO Box 77
Hutton
Preston
Lancashire
PR4 5SB

With regards to condoning excessive and fuel consumption, the Constabulary's Road Policing Policy pays particular attention to this by including a provision for the `Setting of Standards' (Paragraph 3.1.3). A copy of this policy can be found at the following web site address:-

http://www.lancashire.police.uk/fileadmin/users/documents/Road_Policing_Policy_FOI_Version.doc

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in Lancashire Constabulary.

Yours sincerely

Paul Walker

Freedom of Information Disclosure Officer

You have the right to request a re-examination of your case under Lancashire Constabulary's review procedure. If you decide to

request such a review and having followed the Constabulary's full process you are still dissatisfied, then you have

the right to direct your comments to the Information Commissioner who will give it consideration.