Police crime numbers and reporting crimes

Summary

A request was made to the Department of Home Affairs regarding police procedures for reporting crimes and issuing crime numbers. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information and suggested contacting the Isle of Man Constabulary directly.

Key Facts

• The Department of Home Affairs does not hold the information requested regarding police crime reporting procedures.
• The requester was advised to contact the Isle of Man Constabulary for assistance.
• The request was received on 14 November 2019 and closed on 19 November 2019.
• The response outlines the right to an internal review and subsequent appeal to the Information Commissioner.
• The request specifically asked about circumstances requiring reports to the Chief Constable and reasons for not issuing crime numbers.

Data Disclosed

• 1049662
• 2019-11-14
• 2019-11-19
• 01624 694313
• 01624 621298
• IM2 5AP

Original Request

Please advise in what circumstances a member of the public is not permitted to report a crime to a sergeant or other police officer but has to report the crime directly to the chief Constable. 2. What legislation or statute gives Isle of Man police the authority to direct a member of the public to report a crime to no one but the chief Constable for investigation. 3. On evidence from a member of the public that a crime has been committed, what reason would Isle of Man police rely on not to issue the complainant with a crime number.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Chief Executive's Office DHA Headquarters Tromode, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM2 5AP

Telephone: (01624) 694313 Fax: (01624) 621298 Web address: www.gov.im/dha Email: GeneralEnquiries.DHA@dha.gov.im

Our ref: 1049662 19 November 2019

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 14 November 2019 and which states:

"Please advise in what circumstances a member of the public is not permitted to report a crime to a sergeant or other police officer but has to report the crime directly to the chief Constable. 2. What legislation or statute gives Isle of Man police the authority to direct a member of the public to report a crime to no one but the chief Constable for investigation. 3. On evidence from a member of the public that a crime has been committed, what reason would Isle of Man police rely on not to issue the complainant with a crime number."

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested.

However, you may wish to contact Isle of Man Constabulary who may be able to help you.

This information is not held by the Department of Home Affairs.

Please quote the reference number 1049662 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will

be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely

Department of Home Affairs