Our Ref: AFB 25 November 2008

Mr N Henderson

[email address]

Dear Mr Henderson

REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT Reference No F-2008-458

I write in connection with your request for information received on 27 October. I note you seek:

[1a] the total number of homophobic hate crimes reported to you in the last year

[b] the last three years

[2a] the total number of those hate crimes that were reported to the Crown Prosecution Service in the last year

[b] the last three years.

I am required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published, and therefore in the public domain without caveat.

In response to your questions, I have today decided to release the information requested in full as I can see no harm to any individual, the community, the police service or other bodies. After considering whether releasing this information will affect the good order and functioning of community, government or other public service affairs, I believe it is in the public's interest the information be released. The information lies within the arena of public safety and may provide common benefit to members of the community. Releasing this information will not identify any individual or compromise any court case, law enforcement or investigation.

1a) The total number of homophobic hate crimes recorded by Bedfordshire Police during the period 1 January - 19 November 2008 is 19.

b) For the calendar year 2007, the number of homophobic hate crimes recorded by Bedfordshire Police was 33. For calendar year 2006 the number of homophobic hate crimes recorded by Bedfordshire Police was 31. During 1 April 2005 and 31 December 2005, the number of homophobic hate crimes recorded by Bedfordshire Police was 33.

2a) We consider that to endeavour to retrieve this information would require manual searching of every homophobic crime record and that the cost of complying with your request for information would exceed the appropriate limit of £450 as has been stated in the Freedom of Information (Fees & Appropriate Limit) Regulations 2004. In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 this letter acts as a Refusal Notice under Section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act.

Complaint Rights

Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet, which details your right of complaint.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in Bedfordshire Police.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter please do not hesitate to contact me quoting the above reference number.

Yours sincerely

Ms Angela Berrington

Information Services Officer