This is commonplace for people applying for visas to visit foreign countries or during the process of emigration.
Section 7 of the Data Protection Act 1998 states that a 'data subject' (the person about whom the personal data refers) is entitled, upon written request, to be informed whether or not personal data is held or processed about them. This service is not a pre-employment vetting service and applicants wishing to apply for subject access as a condition of employment will be directed to the Criminal Records Bureau or Disclosure Scotland for the Disclosure Services afforded by these organizations.
Should you wish to know what information (if any) the Hampshire Constabulary holds about you, or you would like confirmation that you do, or do not have a prosecution/conviction history, you can apply to:
Data Protection Unit
Police Headquarters
West Hill
Romsey Road
Winchester
Hampshire
SO22 5DB
Email: data.protection@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
Tel: 01962 871541
Payment of a £10 fee and proof of identification must also be provided.
Please note that once we have received your completed application the process to provide you with information can take up to 40 days. For people considering applications for information to use in civil proceedings please carefully read the important notice below.
Important notice for people when applying for personal information under the Data Protection Act 1998
The Data Protection Act provides a right in law for individuals to be advised whether, and what, information an organisation is processing about them. In replying to applicants, Hampshire Constabulary pay due regard to the exemptions from this general right of access and may decline to provide such information where one or more of the following circumstance apply:
- The release of the information could lead to the identification of another individual to whom Hampshire Constabulary have a duty of confidence.
Explanatory note: this will often be where the recorded information involves more than one individual, e.g. a crime report identifies both a victim and suspect/offender. The offender will not normally be given personal details of victims and vice versa.
- Information being processed for the prevention or detection of crime or the apprehension or prosecution of offenders.
Explanatory note: We will not release intelligence about an individual under these provisions if doing so could undermine Hampshire Constabulary’s fight against crime.
- Paper/manual records being processed, these could include investigation files.
Explanatory note: Whilst the searching of electronic records can normally be completed using automatic search tools, searching for hand written records cannot and Hampshire Constabulary will often need to be advised where such information is held before they can accept such a request. Even where such paper records can be located if the cost of reviewing and releasing the information would be likely to exceed £450 then it is outside the right of access granted by Parliament.
It should also be noted that release of personal information under this legislation is limited to information ‘relating to the applicant.’ It does not give a person access to information relating to other individuals. Information not relating to the applicant will be edited out.
Information released under this legislation allows individuals to satisfy themselves that where information is being processed about them, it is accurate, it is not excessive and it is not being kept longer than necessary. It is, therefore, unlikely that this method will be an appropriate way to obtain information about others, nor is it likely to be suitable for individuals considering, or taking, legal action against an individual or organisation. In such circumstances the normal legal channels of discovery are generally more appropriate.
When requesting information it will assist us to assist you if you can tell us what the information you are seeking relates to.
