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

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

Richard Taylor
Via: www.whatdotheyknow.com

Via email: [FOI #29592 email]

05 March 2010

Dear Mr Taylor,

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION APPLICATION REFERENCE NO: 2344/10

Thank you for your request for information received by Lancashire Constabulary on the 23^rd February 2010, which was as follows:-

I would like to make a request for information relating to the arrest of Bob Patefield in Accrington town centre on the 19th of December 2009.

Could you please release details of any complaints which have been made relating to this arrest; including the current state of any investigation along with any outcomes?

While I would expect it to be already covered by the above I specifically like to request the release of any advice which has been given, formally or informally, to officers involved aimed at improving those officers' performance.

Your request has now been considered and the information you are seeking can be found below:-

I have liaised with the force's Professional Standards Department who have advised that to date no formal complaints (i.e. made by a complainant who was directly and adversely affected by the incident, or witnessed the incident first hand) have been received by the force to date. As such, they have no investigations ongoing into the incident at present.

Several people have contacted the force expressing concerns about this incident having seen the press coverage of the matter recently. This correspondence is being dealt with by Chief Superintendent R Eastwood, who has supplied the following statement:

“I understand you have expressed concerns following a newspaper article covering the arrest of a photographer in Accrington in December, 2009. I would like to reassure you that members of Lancashire Constabulary do not routinely prevent the taking of photographs in a public place. The newspaper article concerned did not cover all of the facts in this particular case and much of what was reported was taken out of context. I am unfortunately unable to go into any of the detail at this stage. I do consider in the circumstances that I am aware of, that my officers in Accrington acted entirely appropriately, proportionately and within parameters set by law. Please be reassured there was no use of powers granted under Terrorism related legislation.”

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your request and wish to make a complaint or request an internal review of our decision, you should write to the Data Protection and Information Officer, Corporate Support and Information Services - Data Protection, Police Headquarters, Saunders Lane, Hutton, Preston PR4 5SB or alternatively send an email to [Lancashire Constabulary request email]. Details of the Constabulary's Freedom of Information Complaint Procedures can be found attached to this email.

If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the Information Commissioner's Office cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints procedure provided by Lancashire Constabulary. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.

Yours sincerely

Bryony Hopkinson
Freedom of Information Disclosure Officer

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