Dear Mr MacLean

I write to confirm receipt of your email requesting information.

Regards

Paul Wallace
Force Information Unit
Lothian and Borders Police

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Dear Mr MacLean

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION;
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (SCOTLAND) ACT 2002

Thank you for your email received 17 November 2010 regarding
crime statistics within South Queensferry.

Unfortunately, I must seek clarification of your name before
Lothian and Borders Police can progress with your request. Under
the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, Section 8 requires
that when making a request for information an applicant must
provide his or her full name, together with an address for
correspondence. While the Scottish Information Commissioner deems
that an e-mail address is sufficient for the purposes of the Act,
he has also issued guidance that states that an applicant must
provide his or her own full name when making a request. A recent Court
of Session case (against the Scottish Information Commissioner)
also stressed that the requestor's proper name was required.

I would be grateful if you could provide this information, and a
response to your request for information will be completed in due
course.

Yours Sincerely

Paul Wallace
Force Information Unit
Lothian and Borders Police

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Dear Mr MacLean

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION;
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (SCOTLAND) ACT 2002

Thank you for your email received 17 November 2010 seeking crime statistics for the South Queensferry area.

I have conducted a search of our crime recording system for crimes reported for South Queensferry between 17 November 2009 - 17 November 2010. The results are below, broken down by crime group. A description of these groups is also provided:

Group 1 Crimes of Violence - e.g. Murder, Culpable Homicide, Serious Assault etc
Group 2 Crimes of Indecency - e.g. Rape, Indecent Assault, Public Indecency etc
Group 3 Crimes of Dishonesty - e.g. Theft, Fraud, Housebreaking etc
Group 4 - Fireraising, Vandalism and Malicious Mischief
Group 5 Other Crimes - e.g. Breach of Bail, Possession of an Offensive Weapon, Possession of Drugs etc
Group 6 Miscellaneous Crimes - e.g. Breach of the Peace, Minor Assault etc
Group 7 Offences Relating to Motor Vehicles - e.g. Drink Driving, No Tax, No Licence etc.

Crime group figures are:

Group 1 & 2: 8
Group 3: 222
Group 4: 114
Group 5: 20
Group 6: 111
Group 7: 91
Total - 566

It should be noted that the figures relate to crime reports created, rather than individual crimes. For example, if an individual was identified as causing damage to numerous cars on a street during a vandalism "spree", a crime report would be created in relation to every car damaged. Therefore the number of reports will be higher than the number of accused involved.

In addition, in order to prevent individuals or specific crimes being identified, Groups 1 and 2 have been combined. Information which could identify individuals is exempt from release as to disclose this information would be a breach of the first data protection principle, as set out by the Data Protection Act 1998, relating to fair processing. Therefore section 38 (1) (b) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 relating to personal data must be applied.

Please also note that crime statistics are recorded according to beat code, rather than street name and postcodes. Information about crimes committed in the Force area is published on our website: http://www.lbp.police.uk/freedom-of-info... and they are published on a monthly basis. This provides a comparison year on year, solvency rates, and "year to date" figures for the whole Force. You may wish to look at crime statistics specifically for the South Queensferry area (Pages 22).

I trust this information is of use. If you have any questions about the above or I can help in any other way, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me again. However, under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, you have the right to appeal if you are dissatisfied with the way in which we have dealt with your enquiry. This should be done within 40 working days of receiving this email. If you wish to appeal please contact Rachel Watson, Head of Force Information Unit, Lothian and Borders Police, Police Headquarters, Fettes Avenue, Edinburgh, EH4 1RB. Please note that subsequent to this internal review there is a right of appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner, Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9DS.

Yours Sincerely

Paul Wallace
Force Information Unit
Lothian and Borders Police

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Dear Mr MacLean

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION;
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (SCOTLAND) ACT 2002

Thank you for your email received 29 December 2010, seeking further information.

Unfortunately, Lothian and Borders Police are unable to provide a further breakdown of crime groups 1 and 2 within the timeframe of your
request. As explained in my email dated 26 November 2010, in order to prevent individuals or specific crimes being identified, Groups 1
and 2 have been combined. Information which could identify individuals is exempt from release as to disclose this information would be a
breach of the first data protection principle, as set out by the Data Protection Act 1998, relating to fair processing. Therefore section 38 (1)
(b) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 relating to personal data must be applied.

I trust this information is of use. If you have any questions about the above or I can help in any other way, please do not hesitate to get in touch
with me again. However, under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, you have the right to appeal if you are dissatisfied with the
way in which we have dealt with your enquiry. This should be done within 40 working days of receiving this email. If you wish to appeal please
contact Rachel Watson, Head of Force Information Unit, Lothian and Borders Police, Police Headquarters, Fettes Avenue, Edinburgh, EH4
1RB. Please note that subsequent to this internal review there is a right of appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner, Kinburn Castle,
Doubledykes Road, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9DS.


Yours Sincerely


Paul Wallace
Force Information Unit
Lothian and Borders Police

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