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:
Please could you detail how many charges and convictions your force has had since 2010 of people publishing the names of the victims of a sexual offence, including rape. My questions are below:
1. How many people have been charged by your force with publishing the names of the victims of a sexual offence (contrary to section 1(1) and 5(1) of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992)? Can I have this information broken down by year since 2010?
1a. How many of these were related to publishing on social media? Can I have this information broken down by year since 2010?
2. How many people have been convicted by your force of publishing the names of the victims of a sexual offence (contrary to section 1(1) and 5(1) of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992)? Can I have this information broken down by year since 2010?
2a. How many of these were related to publishing on social media? Can I have this information broken down by year since 2010?
Clarity was sought for your end date and you said ‘I would appreciate if you could find the information to date – so ending whenever you process the query. If it makes sense for you to make that end date today, that would be fine.’
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
Searches were conducted of all charges given to individuals between 01/01/2010 and 04/01/2018 for the below offences which form part of Sexual Offences Act 1997;
086/06 Defendant having protected material, or copy of it, in possession otherwise than while inspecting it etc
086/07 Defendant giving, or revealing, protected material or copy of it, to any other person
086/08 Person who has been given, or shown protected material gives a copy or otherwise to any person other than the defendant
086/09 Person who has been given or shown protected material gives a copy or otherwise to the defendant when not supposed to
This has returned no results.
We therefore conclude that we hold no information in relation to your request.
