FOI 399699

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 399699

I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 4^th April 2025. Please find below the response to your request:

Please advise the process or processes your constabulary can engage to obtain previous keeper details of a vehicle, as opposed to the current keeper.

Is a method as simple as making a police national computer (PNC) search, or are you required to engage a DVLA liaison officer, make a formal written request, etc.?

Please advise any direction, policy, guidance etc. that relates to these procedures; when they may be utilised, by whom autorised etc.

Reply

West Mercia Police hold the information requested. Guidance is held on internal intranet a summary is found below:

LEDS and PNC users have access to vehicle enquiry.

Authority to access LEDS/PNC Vehicle Enquiry

Users may only access and use LEDS Vehicle Enquiry for a legitimate Policing purpose

This includes:

• Protecting life and property
• Preserving order
• Preventing the commission of offences
• Bringing offenders to justice
• Any duty or responsibility that arises out of statute or common law

If a previous keeper’s details are required and are justified in one of the above, they can be checked on PNC or LEDS. If they are not held on the system, then a request can be made to the DVLA.

Authority required for a DVLA DPA is an Inspector or Police Staff equivalent.