Introduction to Freedom of Information

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 was created to allow the public greater access to information about the workings of government and public bodies, such as the police service.

The Act gives the public two related rights:

• The right to be told whether the information they are seeking exists, and
• The right to receive the information (subject to certain exemptions).

The Act came into force on 1st January 2005 but also applies to records created before that time, provided they are still held.

In practice this means that anyone, no matter who they are or where they live, can make a request for information.

Finding Information

Click on the sections below for more information about how you can find the information we publish as a matter of routine, as well as details of how to make an application if you cannot find what you are seeking in our Publication Scheme.

As a large organisation we often use abbreviations within our textual information, so you may also find our  abbreviations list helpful.