Information about police investigations

Confidentiality

Police investigations are conducted with regard to the confidentiality and privacy of victims, witnesses and suspects.

Investigations may also frequently involve the use of policing tactics or techniques that, if widely known, would hinder the ability of the police to prevent and detect crime.

The release of information concerning current investigations may compromise any subsequent court proceedings.

For these reasons the police service will, in most cases, seek to apply an exemption to prevent the release of information concerning investigations when requested under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Public interest

Whilst adopting this general position, there is full recognition that in some cases there will be significant and compelling issues of public interest that require the disclosure of information.

However, to override issues of personal privacy and possible harm to individuals involved in the investigation, this public interest must be significantly more than mere curiosity or interest in a particular investigation.

In order to make sure that these public interest issues are fully considered, all applications for information concerning investigations will be considered on a case-by-case basis.