10/05/2026 – NPCC Central Referral Unit (CRU) FOIA Circulation/Advice Processes
REQUEST:
I write to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 concerning CRU circulation/advice processes associated with Freedom of Information requests.
Please provide:
1. Your policy, guidance, criteria or procedural documents governing:
a) CRU circulation/advice emails issued to police forces or other agencies concerning FOIA requests or requesters;
b) circumstances in which requester names may be circulated;
c) references within CRU material to WhatDoTheyKnow requests or requester activity.
2. The total number of CRU circulation/advice references issued during:
a) 2024,
b) 2025
c) and 2026 to date.
3. The number of CRU circulation/advice references during that period which:
a) referred to WhatDoTheyKnow;
b) referred to requester identity or requester handling;
c) involved circulation beyond police forces.
4. A copy of the document/reference identified as “CRU 308/24”, with any necessary personal data redactions applied and together with the Decision Notice referred to within that document
5. Any guidance, policy or recorded information held by the NPCC concerning:
a) the WhatDoTheyKnow platform;
b) whether requests made through the platform may be “private” or concealed from public view.
6. Recorded information identifying:
a) the police organisations to which CRU circulation/advice references may be disseminated;
b) the “other agencies” referred to within CRU circulation material;
c) any policy, guidance or criteria governing dissemination beyond police forces.
For the avoidance of doubt, I am not seeking personal email addresses or individual recipient details.
If any part of this request is considered likely to exceed the appropriate cost limit, I would be grateful for advice and assistance under section 16 as to refinement.