Dear Mr Taj,

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 000729/09

I write in connection with your request for information dated 11/02/2009, which was received by Greater Manchester Police on 11/02/2009, for the following information:

I would like to request the latest statistics for alcohol related incidents in Manchester City Centre.

Question 1. I am particularly interested in stats regarding drink-driving.

Question 2. Also if possible I would like statistics on any assaults relating to alcohol including domestic abuse.

Following receipt of your request searches were conducted within Greater Manchester Police to locate information relevant to your request. I can confirm that the information you have requested is held by Greater Manchester Police.

Result Of Searches

Question 1 and 2. Greater Manchester Police does not hold the requested information in an easily retrievable format, the cost of determining if the information is held, locating and retrieving the information exceeds the ` appropriate level' as stated in the Freedom of Information (Fess and appropriate limit) Regulations 2004. It is estimated that it would cost more than £450 to comply with your request.

In order to supply the information requested relating to `drink-driving, assaults and domestic abuse, resulting from alcohol would require the manual search of 2,870 alcohol related/involvement incidents for the period 01 January 2008 - 31 December 2008.

Not only would this process be extremely time consuming, which would clearly be exceeding the cost threshold in this case, but there would be no guarantee of accuracy due to the number of records which would have to be viewed.

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000, this letter acts a refusal in respect of your request.

Complaint Rights

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

Should you have any further inquiries concerning this matter, please write or contact me, on telephone number 0161 856 2528 quoting the reference number above.

Yours sincerely,

Corine Phipps

Information Access Team

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 Greater Manchester Police to review their decision.

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome and encouraged to discuss the decision with the case officer that 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 Greater Manchester Police made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding access to information, you can lodge a complaint with Greater Manchester Police to have the decision reviewed.

Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:

Freedom of Information Officer

Information Governance Unit, Information Management Branch

Greater Manchester Police

Police Headquarters

Chester House

Boyer Street

Manchester

M16 0RE

The Information Commissioner

After lodging a complaint with Greater Manchester Police if you are still dissatisfied with the decision you can make an 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 Act.

For information on how to make an 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

Phone: 01625 545 700

Corporate Performance Branch, Data Protection & Computer Audit Section, Police Headquarters,

8th Floor, Chester House, Boyer Street, Old Trafford, Manchester M16 0RE

Tel: 0161 856 2529, Fax: 0161 856 2534, Minicom: 0161 872 6633,

Email: [email address]

Information Governance Unit, Information Management Branch, Police Headquarters,

Chester House, Boyer Street, Manchester M16 0RE

Tel: 0161 856 2528/2529/2668, Fax: 0161 856 2535, Minicom: 0161 872 6633,

Email: [Greater Manchester Police request email]