Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police

The complainant has requested information relating to a policy requiring all applicants to provide medical information from their general practitioners for the grant of new and renewal of shotgun certificates. The complainant also requested information about gun related suicides

The Commissioner’s decision is that Lincolnshire Police is not obliged to comply with the request under section 12(1). However, she finds Lincolnshire Police breached section 16 of the FOIA by failing to provide advice and assistance to the complainant. The Commissioner requires the public authority provide advice and assistance to the complainant to assist them in refining their request where it is possible to do so. The public authority must take these steps within 35 calendar days of the date of this decision notice.