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]

Mr Gareth Oakley

By Email: [FOI #3758 email] 21^st November 2008

Dear Mr Oakley

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION APPLICATION REFERENCE NO: 1406/08

Thank you for your request for information received by Lancashire Constabulary on the 27^th October 2008, which can be found below:-

I am addressing this FOI request to Lancashire Constabulary as the force in my locality. However I realise this request may be more appropriate to another section of the Police, in which case I would be appreciative if it could be forwarded on.

I am writing this FOI request to discover information about how reports of stolen cars are dealt with by the Police in regards to how they are made available to others. Various commercial organisations appear to have access to a regularly updated listing of stolen cars which can be queried by members of the public - the purpose of which is to help consumers establish if a car they wish to purchase has been reported stolen. To date it would appear that the following companies have access to this information:

* CDL Vehicle Information Services Limited

* HPI Limited

* Motorfile Limited

I would like to request:

* A full listing of the organisations the Police makes stolen vehicle reports available to

* Details of any charges the Police make to these organisations

* Details of how to apply to access these reports

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (known hereafter as the `Act') I have decided to refuse access to the information you have requested.

Section 21 of the Act provides that information which is `reasonably accessible' to the applicant is exempt from disclosure under the Act. I feel this information is `reasonably accessible' as it is already in public domain and can be accessed at the following website:-

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/commercial_access_to_stolen_vehi_2.

In accordance with the Act, this letter acts as a Refusal Notice for this request.

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.