Avon and Somerset Police

The complainant has requested various emails, minutes, agendas and briefing notes from Avon & Somerset Constabulary (“A&S”). A&S advised that some of the information was not held and that the remainder of the request was exempt by virtue of section 14(1) (Vexatious requests) of FOIA. The complainant asked the Commissioner to consider the citing of section 14(1) to withhold information. During the Commissioner’s investigation, A&S advised that it had changed its position and that it no longer wished to rely on section 14(1). It advised the Commissioner that it now intended to disclose the requested information. To date, that disclosure has not been made. The Commissioner’s decision is that A&S has breached section 1 and section 10 of FOIA by failing to disclose the requested information within the statutory time for compliance. The Commissioner requires A&S to disclose the information at part (1) of the request, making appropriate redactions for any personal information.