Prostitution related arrests in 2008

Dear Mr Dewsbury

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: RFI1856/1

I write in connection with your request for information dated and received
on 20th April 2009.

Your request will now be considered in accordance with the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 (the Act). 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 West Mercia Constabulary 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.

There may be a fee payable for the retrieval, collation and provision of the
information you request. If this is the case you will be informed and the 20
working day timescale will be suspended until we receive payment from you. If
you chose not to make payment then your request will remain unanswered.

Some requests may also require either full or partial transference to
another public authority in order to answer your query in the fullest
possible way. Again, you will be informed if this is the case.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write
or telephone the Information Compliance Unit quoting the reference number
above.

Yours sincerely

Miss R Forrest

Deputy Information Compliance Manager

Information Compliance Unit

Information Management and Technology Department

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Dear Mr Dewsbury

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: RFI 1856/1

I write in connection with your request for information which was dated
and received on 20^th April 2009. Please find below the response to your
request:

1) How many people were arrested for soliciting prostitutes or kerb

crawling by West Mercia Constabulary in each month of 2008.

3) Of those arrested in each month the number who were a) released

without charge b) cautioned c) charged d) fined e) If none of the above
can be applied to each arrest I would like to know how the crime was
dealt with.

Reply: December 08 - One arrest - Cautioned

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by our
Safety and Justice Department is as accurate and comprehensive as
possible.

Police forces in the United Kingdom are routinely required to provide
crime statistics to government bodies and the recording criteria is set
nationally. However, the systems used for recording these figures are not
generic, nor are the procedures used in capturing the crime data common to
all police forces. It should be noted that for these reasons this force's
response to your questions should not be used for comparison purposes with
any other response you may receive.

Your attention is drawn to the below which details your right of
complaint.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write
or telephone the Information Compliance Unit quoting the reference number
above.

Yours sincerely

Mr B McDermott

FOI Officer

Information Compliance Unit

Information Management and Technology Department

West Mercia Constabulary

PO Box 55

Hindlip

Worcester

WR3 8SP

01905 331545 / 331565

West Mercia Constabulary in complying with their statutory duty under
sections 1 and 11 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to release the
enclosed information will not breach the Copyright, Designs and Patents
Act 1988. However, the rights of the copyright owner of the enclosed
information will continue to be protected by law. Applications for the
copyright owner's written permission to reproduce any part of the attached
information should be addressed to The Force Solicitor, West Mercia
Constabulary Headquarters, PO Box 55, Hindlip, Worcester, WR3 8SP.

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 West Mercia Constabulary (WMC) to review
their decision.

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome and encouraged to
discuss the decision with the person 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 person named 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
WMC made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information, you can lodge a complaint with WMC to have the
decision reviewed. WMC must be notified of your intention to complain
within 2 months of the date of its response to your Freedom of Information
request. Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:

West Mercia Constabulary Headquarters

Information Management and Technology Department

Hindlip Hall

Hindlip

PO Box 55

Worcester

WR3 8SP

In all possible circumstances, WMC will aim to respond to your complaint
within 2 months.

The Information Commissioner

After lodging a complaint with WMC if you are still dissatisfied with the
decision you may make 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 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 545700

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