Obtaining information, such as a vehicle theft crime report, from some constabularies, proves problematic. Various issues are encountered:
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Neutral citation number: [2025] UKFTT 00247 (GRC)
Case Reference: FT/EA/2024/0101
First-tier Tribunal General Regulatory Chamber Information Rights
Decision given on: 27 February 2025
Between PHILIP SWIFT (Appellant)
and
THE INFORMATION COMMISSIONER (Respondent)
There is a sense from TVP and the IC that there is something inappropriate about trying to circumvent a fee and/or using FOIA when a different process exists (if that is part of his motive). We do not agree. A different route with or without a fee does not make a FOIA request inappropriate or vexatious while it may result in a public authority if it wishes responding as allowed by other parts of FOIA.
In any event on the facts of this matter we do not accept these submissions. In our view while the arguments might be relevant if we were looking at a request for some case specific data that was deemed to be an attempt to circumvent a procedure that is not the case here where the question asks for information about a specific review.
Value
TVP’s letter of 15 February 2024 (C83) does not address the question of value directly.
In the DN the IC says A13:-
“He has therefore concluded that there is little purpose or value to the complainant’s request under consideration here.”
We do not agree. In considerable summary the request seeks information about a possible review being undertaken also involving the National Police Chiefs Council regarding the way in which the Police can, do or should, share data for example with insurers. In our view the question of whether there is or might be such a review is self evidently of interest and has a value or serious purpose and in any event:-
“…a lack of apparent objective value cannot alone provide a basis for refusal under section 14, unless there are other factors present which raise the question of vexatiousness.