Provision of information held by Northumbria Police made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the 'Act')
As you may be aware the purpose of the Act is to allow a general right of access to information held at the time of a request, by a Public Authority (including the Police), subject to certain limitations and exemptions.
You asked:
1. How many motorcycles were reported stolen in Northumbria police force area between 1st January 2017 and 31st December 2017 inclusive?
2. Please confirm whether the above figure includes off road motorcycles that are not registered for road use.
3. How many stolen motorcycles were recovered by Northumbria police force between 1st January 2017 and 31st December 2017 inclusive?
4. How many individuals were charged for Theft of Motorcycle by Northumbria police force between 1st January 2017 and 31st December 2017 inclusive?
5. Please provide name, rank and contact details for the most senior officer responsible for motorcycle theft in Northumbria police force.
In Response:
We have now had the opportunity to fully consider your request and I provide a response for your attention.
Following receipt of your request, searches were conducted with the Corporate Development Department of Northumbria Police. I can confirm that the information you have requested is held by Northumbria Police.
Question 1 is the number of vehicles classified as a 'motorcycle' which have been reported stolen or recovered. Totals do not include 'scooters' and/or 'mopeds.'
Question 4. Theft of a motorcycle could fall under several Home Office codes, none of which apply exclusively to motorcycles. Instead I have provided, the number of people who were charged from the crimes mentioned in Q1. They will have been charged with a variety of different offences (such as theft of a motor vehicle, burglary other than dwelling etc.) but all of which involved a motorcycle being stolen.
With the above in mind, I am able to disclose the located information to you as follows.
1. 265
2. The figure includes off road motorcycles that are not registered for road use
3. 143
4. 20
5. We do not have a specific person who is responsible for motorcycle thefts. Constables are responsible for the effective investigation of their crimes and will determine a proportionate investigative approach to each offence based on its circumstances. In relation to more serious offences, Sergeants will provide investigative direction, conduct regular reviews and finalise crimes where investigations are complete. Inspectors will carry out additional 21 day reviews to ensure timeliness and quality of investigations. Area Command Chief Inspectors undertake a quality control role, systematically dip sampling investigations of crime.
