Northamptonshire Police told to improve how quickly it responds to requests for information

Northamptonshire Police needs to improve how quickly it responds to requests for information, according to the official regulator.

The force was one of three across the country to be handed several recommendations on how to get better by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) today (Thursday, November 12).

The ICO's recommendations include publishing an action plan to improve performance and any subsequent updates on its website as well as its performance statistics.

Northamptonshire Police has been approached for comment.

Anthony Luhman, from the ICO, said further regulatory action, such as a formal enforcement notice, could be taken if improvements are not made.

"Our detailed findings identify areas of good practice in meeting time limits for responding to Freedom of Information (FOI), Environmental Information and Subject Access (SAR) requests from which other forces can learn," he said.

"Our research has resulted in nine practical recommendations that we consider will drive improvements.

"But it also highlights failings. Police forces are improving, but many must do better. Where we found particularly poor practice, we have taken action.

"We have issued three forces with practice recommendations – Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire and North Yorkshire. Failure to improve could result in further regulatory action."

Northamptonshire Police responded to 48 per cent of FOI requests within the statutory timeframe from September 2019 to August 2020, according to the ICO reportFor SARs, the force's 'timeliness rate' was 66 per cent for the same time period.