West Yorkshire Police

The complainant requested information about an alleged attempt by police officers to gain entry to his property in 1999. West Yorkshire Police refused to confirm or deny if it held information falling within the scope of the request and cited the exemption provided by section 40(5)(a) (personal information) on the basis that, if it did hold information falling within the scope of the request, this information would constitute the personal data of the complainant. The Information Commissioner (the ‘Commissioner’) finds that confirmation or denial would disclose personal data and that the disclosure of this personal data would be in breach of the first data protection principle. The exemption provided by section 40(5)(b)(i) is therefore engaged and the public authority is not required to take any steps. Information Tribunal appeal GIA/2615/2014 allowed.