Freedom of Information Request in relation to the provision of data to the RSPCA

The request was partially successful.

Dear Staffordshire Police,

I am very concerned about the extent to which private information and data held by the police is being provided to private organisations, such as the RSPCA.

The RSPCA is a private organisation. Its employees are ordinary members of the public. Yet, I believe that there are constabularies which have private arrangements with the RSPCA for the provision of information to that organisation of private and sensitive information about individuals, which information might be of use to the RSPCA and its ruling Councillors in their political and other objectives.

As you may know, the RSPCA is run by a ruling Council of 26 persons. At least 18 of these people are either members of, or actively support, an extreme animal rights organisation called Animal Aid. I am concerned that data concerning individuals who do not support the extreme animal rights agenda of the RSPCA and Animal Aid may be falling into the hands of those organisations, and their "partners".

I understand that the RSPCA are able to use the police radio network, called Airwave, but that requests for such things as PNC checks are sometimes handled directly by the RSPCA's Political Headquarters in Horsham. As you may be aware, the RSPCA has a close relationship with many journalists - I am concerned that any channel for information to be obtained unlawfully from the police and/or provided by the police in an unregulated manner should be closed off.

Would you therefore please provide me with data, detailing how many requests for information from the police have been received by the Constabulary from the RSPCA annually during the last five years broken down annually.

Yours faithfully,

Richard Martin

Staffordshire Police

1 Attachment

Dear Richard

Reference No: 2810/11

Thank you for your request which will be dealt with under the terms of the
Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Your request will now be considered and you will receive a response within
the statutory timescale of 20 working days as defined by the Act, subject
to the information not being exempt or containing a reference to a third
party. In some circumstances Staffordshire Police may be unable to achieve
this deadline. If this is likely you will be informed and given a revised
time-scale at the earliest opportunity.

I should also point out to you that it is my belief that you have made
this FoI request using a false or assumed name which would make this an
invalid request under section 8 of the Act. Whilst the FoI Act is both
purpose and applicant blind - i.e. it doesn't matter who makes a request
nor why they want the information. However, should you be dissatisfied
with the way that Staffordshire Police have handled your request and you
were to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office, they will not
deal with your complaint if it was made under a false or assumed name.

Regards
========================================================
Freedom of Information & Subject Access Team
Staffordshire Police
Ext 2195. Direct Dial: 01785 232195

Richard Martin To FOI requests at Staffordshire
<[FOI #84781 email]> Police
<[Staffordshire Police request email]>
30/08/2011 21:28 cc
Please think of the environment. Do you Subject Freedom of Information request -
really need to print this email? Freedom of Information Request in
relation to the provision of data
to the RSPCA

Dear Staffordshire Police,

I am very concerned about the extent to which private information
and data held by the police is being provided to private
organisations, such as the RSPCA.

The RSPCA is a private organisation. Its employees are ordinary
members of the public. Yet, I believe that there are constabularies
which have private arrangements with the RSPCA for the provision of
information to that organisation of private and sensitive
information about individuals, which information might be of use to
the RSPCA and its ruling Councillors in their political and other
objectives.

As you may know, the RSPCA is run by a ruling Council of 26
persons. At least 18 of these people are either members of, or
actively support, an extreme animal rights organisation called
Animal Aid. I am concerned that data concerning individuals who do
not support the extreme animal rights agenda of the RSPCA and
Animal Aid may be falling into the hands of those organisations,
and their "partners".

I understand that the RSPCA are able to use the police radio
network, called Airwave, but that requests for such things as PNC
checks are sometimes handled directly by the RSPCA's Political
Headquarters in Horsham. As you may be aware, the RSPCA has a close
relationship with many journalists - I am concerned that any
channel for information to be obtained unlawfully from the police
and/or provided by the police in an unregulated manner should be
closed off.

Would you therefore please provide me with data, detailing how many
requests for information from the police have been received by the
Constabulary from the RSPCA annually during the last five years
broken down annually.

Yours faithfully,

Richard Martin

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Staffordshire Police

Julian Ziemann
Professional Standards Principal Officer
01785 232157

Dear Mr Martin,

I refer to the above matter and would wish to inform you that if any
information is held it is not on a central database and at this point it
has not proved possible to ascertain whether any details are held and if
so, to extract them.

I anticipate that I will be able to provide you with a formal reply within
the next 14 working days or earlier if possible. However, I would further
inform you that if information is held but the cost of extracting it would
exceed the appropriate limit of £450, Staffordshire Police would be likely
to decline to supply the details.

Yours faithfully,

Julian Ziemann.

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Staffordshire Police

1 Attachment

Julian Ziemann
Professional Standards Principal Officer
01785 232157

Dear Mr Martin,  I refer to the above matter and on behalf of
Staffordshire Police I forward the attached letter of response.

Yours faithfully,

Julian Ziemann.      

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Dear Staffordshire Police,

Thank you for your reply and partial response to my request.

Can you please give me a clarification of what the 225 "intelligence records" actually means I am unfamiliar with this terminology.

Yours faithfully,

Richard Martin

Staffordshire Police

1 Attachment

Dear Mr Martin,  Guidance on the Management of Police Information contains
the following definitions:
Information
'The term information is used in this guidance to refer to all information
obtained, recorded or processed by the Police Service.  It includes
information which is processed (known as data, including personal data)
and information which has been subject to a process of evaluation (known
as intelligence)'

Intelligence
'Intelligence in this guidance refers to information that is subject to a
defined evaluation and risk assessment process in order to assist with
police decision making'

Intelligence system
'An intelligence system refers to the holding of information which has
been evaluated to have an intelligence value.'

From this I take the view that an 'intelligence record' is a written
individual intelligence entry of whatever length, held on an intelligence
system.

In respect of your request, I have been informed that it has been
estimated that it would take in excess of 18 hours for a member of staff
to read each of the records individually to see what they related to and
if they contained anything which stated that information had been
requested or revealed.

Yours faithfully,
Julian Ziemann
Professional Standards Principal Officer
01785 232157

Richard Martin To [email address]
<[FOI #84781 email]> cc
Subject Re: Freedom of Information Act 2000 -
04/10/2011 14:13 Request for information concerning
Please think of the environment. Do you information requests from RSPCA
really need to print this email?

     Dear Staffordshire Police,
   
    Thank you for your reply and partial response to my request.
   
    Can you please give me a clarification of what the 225
    "intelligence records" actually means I am unfamiliar with this
    terminology.
   
    Yours faithfully,
   
    Richard Martin
   
   

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