UK Registered Vehicles Stolen Abroad

Dear Mr Swift

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2010010004420
I write in connection with your request for information which was received
by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 25/01/2010. I note you seek
access to the following information:

"1) What is the policy with regard to recording VRM's as LOS (lost or
Stolen) on the UK PNC when the subject vehicle, registered in the UK, is
stolen abroad?

* I have a specific example if the VRM would assist; a vehicle stolen in
Poland yet which appears to have been placed upon the PNC as 'stolen'
by a constabulary.

2) If there are reciprocal arrangements with overseas European
constabularies for duplication of LOS reports,
I ask to be provided:

* details of the countries that have signed up
* a copy of the agreement"

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 the MPS 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.

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.

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

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

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please
write quoting the reference number above.

Yours sincerely

A. Duncan
Policy & Support 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 the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) 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 the MPS made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act)
regarding access to information you can lodge a complaint with the MPS
to have the decision reviewed.

Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:

FOI Complaint
Public Access Office
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF

In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 40 working days.
The Information Commissioner

After lodging a complaint with the MPS 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 545 700

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Dear Mr Swift

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2010010004420

I write in connection with your request for information dated 25 Nov 2010
which was received by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 25/01/2010.
I note you seek access to the following information:

* What is the policy with regard to recording VRM's as LOS (lost or
Stolen) on the UK PNC when the subject vehicle, registered in the UK,
is stolen abroad? I have a specific example if the VRM would
assist; a vehicle stolen in Poland yet which appears to have been
placed upon the PNC as 'stolen' by a constabulary. If there are
reciprocal arrangements with overseas (European? constabularies for
duplication of LOS reports, I ask to be provided: details of the
countries that have signed up a copy of the agreement.

Following receipt of your request searches were conducted within the MPS
to locate information relevant to your request.

EXTENT OF SEARCHES TO LOCATE INFORMATION

To locate the information relevant to your request searches were conducted
at Specialist Crime Directorate.

RESULT OF SEARCHES

The searches could not find any local policies pertinent to your reques,
therefore the MPS do not hold the information. However, under our duty to
assist I would like to inform you that the Police National Computer is a
national system covering the whole of the UK and not just the Metropolitan
Police Service. The National Policing Improvements Agency (NPIA) are
responsible for the publishing of guidance which is garnered from customer
groups and working parties and have provided the below links in relation
to this request.
http://www.npia.police.uk/en/9619.htm
http://www.npia.police.uk/en/12996.htm

My colleagues at NPIA inform me that the PNC Manual, Volume 1, contains
the following

1.1.1. Vehicle Stolen Abroad and Reported to a UK Force
When a UK force is notified that a vehicle has been stolen abroad it is
not appropriate to add a LOS report to its PNC record because the theft
has not taken place in the UK. However, an INF report should be added
containing the words "ALLEGEDLY STOLEN ABROAD" as this may provide useful
intelligence, e.g. to ANPR operators at UK ports. A check with the
Interpol stolen vehicles database is advisable. This policy will be
reviewed when the UK is operational with the Schengen Information System.

Please note that despite the wording saying "policy", this is guidance and
there is no mandate on the forces to comply, however I can inform you that
the MPS do adhere to the above specific guidance given.

Links to information about Schengen Information System are provided about
and available from the NPIA website.

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

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

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write
or contact Julia Wharton on telephone number 0207 161 3657 quoting the
reference number above.

Yours sincerely

Julia Wharton
FOI Coordinator & Review Officer
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 the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) 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
the MPS made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information you can lodge a complaint with the MPS to have the
decision reviewed.

Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:

FOI Complaints
Public Access Office
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1TR

In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 40 working days.
The Information Commissioner

After lodging a complaint with the MPS 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 545 700

show quoted sections