Data protection: Does a person have a right to see police records?

[rdhs100]

Hi everyone,

What rights under data protection laws does an individual have to see what records the police hold on them?

I'm asking on behalf of a friend/colleague who would like to see the records on him regarding crimes that they reported to the police a few years ago.

For the avoidance of doubt they were never under suspicion for any kind of crime, only reported one.

Is there an accepted practice or form of words that people should use to request information the police hold? And if the police do not wish to hand over the information, how are they legally required to justify withholding, and how are they required to communicate such decisions?

Can an individual seek clarification on the status of any crime they have reported?

Thanks.

[R0b]

Re: Data protection: Does a person have a right to see police records?

Hi everyone,

What rights under data protection laws does an individual have to see what records the police hold on them?

I'm asking on behalf of a friend/colleague who would like to see the records on him regarding crimes that they reported to the police a few years ago.

For the avoidance of doubt they were never under suspicion for any kind of crime, only reported one.

Is there an accepted practice or form of words that people should use to request information the police hold? And if the police do not wish to hand over the information, how are they legally required to justify withholding, and how are they required to communicate such decisions?

Can an individual seek clarification on the status of any crime they have reported?

Thanks.

You might find the following link helpful. But the answer is yes they can, and they can also make a request to see what local police force holds about them too.

https://www.acro.police.uk/Subject_Access_FAQs.aspx