Staffordshire Police

The complainant requested information relating to material referred to in a published report. During the course of the Commissioner’s investigation, Staffordshire Police revisited its handling of parts (1) and (2) of the request. It confirmed it held information within the scope of part (1) of the request but denied holding information within the scope of part (2) of the request. The Commissioner investigated whether Staffordshire Police held information within the scope of part (2) of the request. The Commissioner’s decision is that, on the balance of probabilities, Staffordshire Police did not hold information within the scope of that part of the request. However, the Commissioner finds that Staffordshire Police breached sections 1(1)(a) and 10(1) of the FOIA by not confirming whether it held the requested information within the statutory time limit. The Commissioner requires no steps to be taken as a result of this decision.