1. What is the purpose of the Freedom of Information Act?

2. What sort of information is covered?

3. Are there any reasons why I would not get the information I want?

4. How do I get access to information?

5. Do I have to pay for any of the information included in the Publication Scheme or supplied in response to a request?

6. Does the Act only apply to records created from 1st January 2005

7. Will I be able to obtain personal information about myself under the Act?

8. What if I am not sure what information I want or how to word my request?

9.  How long will it take to get the information?

10. What if I am not satisfied with the response to my request or the way it has been handled?

11. Who ensures that Norfolk Constabulary complies with the Act?

 

1. What is the purpose of the Freedom of Information Act?
To give the public greater access to information about the workings of government and public bodies.

What new rights does the Act create?

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives two related rights:

• The right to be told whether the information exists, and
• The right to receive the information (subject to exemptions).
  

2. What sort of information is covered?
The right of access covers all information held by the Force.
 A release of information in response to a request places that information into the public domain. All responses to requests are published on our web-site on our Disclosure Logs. This usually occurs within 48 hours of the response being sent to the applicant.

3. Are there any reasons why I would not get the information I want?
There are a number of exemptions included in the Act that allow the Force to refuse to provide information. The exemptions relate to issues such as tactical and operational information that could assist a criminal in evading detection or committing crime; information provided to the police in confidence or that would adversely affect commercial interests; information that is personal about third parties; information that would compromise a police investigation. Many of these exemptions require the Force to evidence that harm would be caused if the information were provided and to carry out a public interest test to determine if the public interest in releasing the information overrides that harm.

Fees regulations allow us to refuse to provide information if it will take more than 18 hours of work to locate, retrieve and/or extract it.
 
We can refuse to provide information if we consider your request to be vexatious or repeated.

4. How do I get access to information?
Norfolk Constabulary publishes information on its website. Our Guide to Published Information will direct you to the published information and also provide contact points where information is available via email or in paper format.
 
If the information you want is not already published you can make a request for it. Make a request for information

5. Do I have to pay for any of the information included in the Publication Scheme or supplied in response to a request?
Details of charges applicable can be found in the Publication Scheme.
 
We charge for reasonable costs such as photocopying a large document and postage. These will be charged using the Association of Chief Police Officers scale of charges and you will be sent notification of any charges. Information will not be provided until payment has been received

6. Does the Act only apply to records created from 1st January 2005
No, the Act is fully retrospective

7. Will I be able to obtain personal information about myself under the Act?
Requests for your own personal information will be dealt with under the Data Protection Act.
 
It is important to recognise that a release of information under the Act places that information into the public domain – it becomes public information. All of our responses to requests are published on our web-site on our Disclosure Log. Clearly we would not want to publish an individual's personal information and for this reason we will redirect any request for your own personal data to the provisions of the Data Protection Act.

8. What if I am not sure what information I want or how to word my request?
You can contact us to discuss your request and we will advise and assist you in formulating your request. If we advise you that it will take too long to provide the information, we can assist you to redefine your request so you can be provided with some of the information you require.
 
You should note that Section 16 of the Act places a duty on public authorities to advise and assist applicants.

9.  How long will it take to get the information?
The Act requires that we respond within 20 working days from the day after your request is received. We always try to respond as early as possible and in any event to meet this deadline. On occasion our response may be delayed, particularly if your request is large or complex. We will contact you if there is going to be a delay.

We can extend the response time beyond the 20 working days if it is necessary to undertake a public interest test when deciding whether to release information.

10. What if I am not satisfied with the response to my request or the way it has been handled?
Details of how to make a complaint read more

11. Who ensures that Norfolk Constabulary complies with the Act?
The Information Commissioner is responsible for ensuring that all public authorities comply with the Act.
 
The Commissioner's web-site contains useful information about your rights under the Freedom of Information Act and the Data Protection Act. It also provides guidance on how to make a request.