Reference: 01/FOI/26/049910/V
08/01/2026 FoI Request of the MPS:
I am writing in relation to the attached response previously provided by the Metropolitan Police concerning the discrepancy identified in 2023 between vehicles recorded as lost or stolen (LoS) by the Metropolitan Police and those recorded as LoS by the DVLA.
I wish to be clear at the outset that this is not a request under the Freedom of Information Act, nor is it a request for additional datasets. Rather, I am seeking clarification of process, governance, and escalation, arising directly from the wording of the Met’s own response.
In particular, the response states:
“When a vehicle is reported stolen to the Met, Call Handling (MO12) will put a ‘lost or stolen’ marker on the vehicle on PNC, which is then updated by the DVLA on their systems.”
To better understand how a material discrepancy could persist, considering this statement, I would be grateful if you could clarify the following points:
- PNC–DVLA update mechanism
Please can you confirm whether the update from PNC to DVLA systems is:
i. fully automated via an electronic interface; or
ii. subject to manual intervention, batching, or exception handling. - Update frequency and latency
Please can you confirm whether updates are:
i. real-time or near real-time;
ii. transferred at fixed intervals (e.g. daily); or
iii. event-driven with potential queuing or delay. - Exception handling and reconciliation
Where a PNC LoS marker does not result in a corresponding DVLA LoS record:
i. is there an exception report, reconciliation process, or alert mechanism; and
ii. if so, which organisation (MPS, PNC operators, or DVLA) owns that reconciliation? - Awareness and escalation of the 2023 discrepancy
Following identification of the discrepancy referenced in the attached response:
i. was the issue raised with the DVLA or any national policing body (e.g. PNC governance, NPCC, or relevant operational lead); or
ii. if no escalation occurred, was a determination made that no remedial action was required? - Escalation point within the MPS
Finally, please can you advise the appropriate role or unit within the MPS to whom queries concerning systemic LoS recording integrity and inter-agency data consistency should be escalated, where such matters fall outside routine operational reporting.
I should stress that my interest is in understanding whether the discrepancy identified reflects:
• a technical limitation,
• a governance gap, or
• a known and accepted reconciliation issue between systems.
Any clarification you can provide would be appreciated and would assist in ensuring that the issue is approached accurately and proportionately.
13/10/2026 from the MPS:
Your unique case reference number is: 01/FOI/26/049910/V.
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.
Linked requests/responses:
08/02/2024 – MPS: VRM LoS & Recovery information – local copy here.
10/05/2024 – MPS: MPS & DVLA Vehicle Theft Discrepancy – local copy here