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:
Can you possibly tell me what the Northumbria forces procedure is when communicating a no further action decision to those who have been released following arrest.
In Response:
Following receipt of your request, searches were conducted within the Crime Department of Northumbria Police. I can confirm that the information you have requested is held by Northumbria Police.
I am able to disclose the located relevant information to you as follows .
Where an NFA decision has been made, the Custody Sergeant or line manager must update relevant screens on recording systems with their rationale underpinning the decision to release NFA. At the point of disposal the officer will be given the option to indicate whether a letter is required to be sent to the suspect to inform them of the decision.
If the decision is yes this will automatically generate a letter within Criminal Justice Unit (CJU) for onward transmission to the suspect. A copy will be attached to the custody record.
As well as the above officers will often contact the suspects solicitor direct who will then inform the suspect of the outcome of the investigation.
Officers might also follow this up with a call to the suspect direct.
