Thank you for your enquiry which has been logged under the above
reference.

Under the Freedom of Information Act we are required to reply within 20
working days.  The Act does not specify a limit to the number of
information requests a public authority may receive or the number of
requests or questions an applicant may submit.  However, there are
exemptions in the Act that can apply and these include where the cost of
complying with the request would extend beyond the reasonable cost limit,
(currently 18 hours or £450), or if the request is otherwise manifestly
unreasonable in its scope or nature.  Requests that ask a great many
questions, or a number of detailed requests submitted at the same time,
may make it necessary for Essex Police to refuse the requests wholly or in
part.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has responsibility for
providing oversight and guidance for the legislation and they have
produced advice for applicants on submitting effective requests.  Further
information can be found on the Commissioner’s website at
[1]www.ico.gov.uk specific information relating to submitting a request
can be found at:  

[2]http://www.ico.org.uk/for_the_public/off...   

While we process your request, please take the time to consider the ICO’s
advice and whether you feel it may be beneficial to amend or refine your
request.  Our team are happy to discuss your request with you and will be
able to provide advice as to what kind of information will be available
from Essex Police.

Steve Grayton

Information Officer

Data Protection & Freedom of Information

Information Management

Strategic Change Management Department

Essex Police Headquarters

PO Box 2, Springfield, Chelmsford, CM2 6DA

Internal extension 150029

External Dial 101 then ext.150029

Data Protection / FOI Team direct dial: 01245 452647

Fax: 01245 452256 Internal 150045

Email : data[Essex Police request email]

Personal email: [email address]

Website: www.essex.police.uk

Working hours Mon-Thurs 7:30 – 15:30, Fri 7:30 – 15:00

Office opening hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 - 16:00

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your FOI request, you have
the right to ask for an internal review.

Internal review requests should be submitted within two months of the date
of receipt of the response to your original request and should be
addressed to the Senior Information Officer at the above address or by
email to: [3]data[Essex Police request email]

They will conduct an internal review to investigate the handling of your
request and endeavour to reply within 20 working days. If your complaint
refers to a decision to apply an exemption it would assist the review if
you would outline the reasons why you feel the exemption does not apply.

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information
Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9
5AF or via [4]http://www.ico.gov.uk/

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Thank you for your enquiry which has been logged under the above reference. Having completed my enquiries I am able to respond as follows:

Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) places two duties on public authorities. Unless exemptions apply, the first duty at Sec1(1)(a) is to confirm or deny whether the information specified in a request is held. The second duty at Sec1(1)(b) is to disclose information that has been confirmed as being held. Where exemptions are relied upon s17 of FOIA requires that we provide the applicant with a notice which: a) states that fact b) specifies the exemption(s) in question and c) states (if that would not otherwise be apparent) why the exemption applies.

In respect of your enquiry:

1) For the Financial Year 2012-13 How many Road Traffic Collisions occurred involving Police Vehicles ?

2) What was the total cost of repairs to these Vehicles ?

3) How many were beyond economic repair ?

Essex Police does hold some information relevant to your request.

1) For the Financial Year 2012-13 How many Road Traffic Collisions occurred involving Police Vehicles ?
A Within the financial year of 2012-13 there have been 212 road traffic collisions involving police vehicles, which include fault and non fault incidents. Please note that the figures only includes accidents where a potential claim could be made by either party and does not include incidents where Police Officers have collided with a kerb etc.

2) What was the total cost of repairs to these Vehicles ?
A The total cost of repair is £106,779.91 (this includes the total repairs less the recovery amounts received)

3) How many were beyond economic repair ?
A To date, 7 vehicles have been beyond economic repair

Please note Police officers are required to travel thousands of miles each year, much of this under emergency conditions, responding to calls for assistance.

The College of Policing driver training learning programme (DTLP)<http://mle.ncalt.pnn.police.uk/Course/De...> identifies the training requirements for police drivers to competently fulfill their operational driving role.

The three levels of police driving and riding are basic, standard and advanced. They have been reviewed and refined to ensure that they meet the needs of modern policing, and have been endorsed by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Department for Transport (DfT).
Every collision involving a police vehicle is dealt with by a Sergeant and reviewed by the Driving Standards Department. This department consider the use of internal sanctions, including withdrawal of a police driving permit or misconduct procedures. Where appropriate, prosecution is considered in conjunction with the Crown Prosecution Service.

I hope this information is of some use. Thank you for your interest in Essex Police.

Kerry Nicholson
Information Officer
Strategic Change Management Department
Essex Police HQ
Internal extension 150025
Direct Dial 01245 452647
Essex Police Non emergency Telephone Number (within Essex) 101 (Outside Essex) 0300 333 4444
Fax: Internal 150045 External 01245 452256
Website: www.essex.police.uk<http://www.essex.police.uk/>
Information Management, Strategic Change Management Department, Essex Police Headquarters, PO Box 2, Springfield, Chelmsford, CM2 6DA

[cid:2724289a-10f7-4d0c-a4ba-6e21a1e681c1]

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your FOI request, you have the right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests should be submitted within two months of the date of receipt of the response to your original request and should be addressed to the Senior Information Officer at the above address.

If your complaint refers to a decision to apply an exemption it would assist the review if you would outline the reasons why you feel the exemption does not apply.

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF

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