30/10/2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FoIA) request was presented to Staffordshire police about the constabulary’s seizure of a ‘stolen’ vehicle – their recovery of a vehicle it appears was the property of a finance company.
6 days later, the constabulary responded as below. The name of the finance company is not disclosed.
Staffordshire Police Response
5 November 2025
FOI Ref 22032
Request – You asked us the following:
In respect to my vehicle XXXXXXXX and subsequent seizure on XXXXXXXX.
I would like to know when my vehicle was reported stolen.
Which police force was my vehicle reported stolen to.
I would like to know the Staffordshire Police policy on stolen vehicle reporting from finance companies and scope of action that can be taken.
Whether the Staffordshire Police financial reports support this action ie recovering vehicles on behalf of finance companies.
I would like to know the National Police policy on stolen vehicle reporting from finance companies and scope of action that can be taken.
We received your request on 30/10/2025 and have processed this under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Staffordshire Police’s response to your enquiry is as follows:
Staffordshire Police holds/does not hold the requested information.
- In respect to my vehicle XXXXXXXX and subsequent seizure on XXXXXXXX. – Neither confirm nor deny, please see below.
- I would like to know when my vehicle was reported stolen. – Neither confirm nor deny, please see below.
- Which police force was my vehicle reported stolen to. – Neither confirm nor deny, please see below.
- I would like to know the Staffordshire Police policy on stolen vehicle reporting from finance companies and scope of action that can be taken. – No information held.
- Whether the Staffordshire Police financial reports support this action ie recovering vehicles on behalf of finance companies. – No information held.
- I would like to know the National Police policy on stolen vehicle reporting from finance companies and scope of action that can be taken. – No information held.
Staffordshire Police can neither confirm or deny that it holds some of the information you requested as it believes that the duty under s1(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the duty to confirm whether the public authority holds information of the specified description) does not apply.
The following exemption has been applied:
In accordance with Section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information Act, this letter represents a refusal notice for parts of this particular request.
• Section 40(5) Personal Information
Section 40(5) is an absolute exemption which means that there is no need to quantify the harm that may arise from the disclosure; neither is it subject to a public interest test.
To release personal or third-party information that may or may not be held by Staffordshire Police, would breach the data protection principles; namely –
• Data is lawfully and fairly processed.
• Processed in line with an individual’s rights.
• Data is secure.
Personal and third-party information cannot be released under the Freedom of Information Act.
Disclosure under Freedom of Information is a release of information to the world in general and not an individual applicant.
Advice and assistance
Section 16 of the Act places an obligation upon the Authority to provide advice and assistance, in order to comply with this obligation please see below.
An individual can access personal information which Staffordshire Police may or may not hold, by making an application under the Right of Access (formerly known as Subject Access) provision of the Data Protection Act 2018.
https://www.staffordshire.police.uk/rqo/request/ri/request-information/ir/ask-for-delete-changeinformation
Please be advised that all Freedom of Information request responses are published on the Staffordshire Police website although personal details are not included.
Freedom of Information Request Appeals Procedure
1. Who Can Ask for a Review
Any person who has requested information from Staffordshire Police, which has been dealt with under the Freedom of Information Act, is entitled to complain and request an internal review, if they are dissatisfied with the response they received.
2. How to Request a Review
Requests for review of a Freedom of Information request must be made in writing within two months of the date of receipt of this email, and should be addressed to:
IAT@staffordshire.police.uk
Or by Post to:
Information Access Team
Staffordshire Police HQ
PO Box 3167
Stafford
ST16 9JZ
The reference number, date of the request and details of why the review is being requested must be included. Requests for review should be brought to the attention of the Information Access Team within two months of the Force’s response to the original FOI request.
3. Review Procedure
Receipt of a request for review will be acknowledged in writing. The review will be conducted by a Supervisor who is independent from the original Decision Maker. The Information Access Team will set a target date for a response. The response will be made as soon as is practicable with the intention to complete the review within 20 working days. In more complex cases the review may take up to 40 working days.
The independent Supervisor will conduct a review of the handling of the request for information and of decisions taken, including decisions taken about where the public interest lies in respect of exempt information where applicable. The review enables a re-evaluation of the case, taking into account the matters raised by the complaint.
4. Conclusion of the Appeal
On completion of the review the Independent Supervisor will reply to the appellant with the result of the review. If the appellant is still dissatisfied following the review they should contact the Information Commissioner to make an appeal. The Information Commissioner can be contacted via the following link: https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/foi-and-eir-complaints/foi-and-eir-complaints/
Freedom of Information
Information Access Team
05/12/2025 – original response @ Staffs disclosure log and local version below
14/12/2025 – an FoIA request of Staffordshire police: Distinguishing Theft & Fraud Where a Vehicles is Claimed by a Finance Company
Local version here: