| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:What Data Protection issue has stopped our crime briefings? | |
| Posted by: | James Elder | |
| Date/Time: | 18/09/10 12:43:00 |
| It's broader than that. The original (1984) Act was, I think, along the lines you state. However, the 1998 Act which replaced it is broader and covers the obligations of any organisation that holds or handles personal information (whether on paper or digitally). The Information Commissioner's site has a summary of the Act: http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_the_public/the_acts.aspx I'm guessing here, but the issue that the police may be concerned about is whether these reports could allow someone to be identified (against their wishes) as a victim of crime. It's easier to see it in the context of a village. Imagine a report for Nether Wallop says that there had been an instance of a female pensioner being victim of a distraction burglary. In the context of a village it might be obvious from that report that the victim was Old Miss Jones. Old Miss Jones, for reasons of her own, might not want it known beyond the investigating officers that this crime had been committed (she might be embarrassed, she might feel less safe the more people know about it etc). I'm guessing the fact of being a victim of crime probably is considered to be personal information that should not be disclosed without the individual's consent. It's less obvious that this would be a problem in Putney because of the population density (much less likely that individuals could be identified) - and if this is the Met's concern I would think they are being overcautious. However, as interpretation of the DPA is not something a large organisation likes to get wrong (a rap on the knuckles from the Commissioner is embarrassing and often gets picked up by the press), so I'm not surprised that, if this concern has been raised, they would stop and seek an opinion from the Information Commissioner. Earlier in this thread, it was suggested that this is what the Met have done. The Commissioner's Office can be slow to respond both because they are very stretched and because they do seem to take a properly thoughtful look at the law before issuing guidance. But if it's the case that the Met have gone to the Commissioner, they should eventually get clear advice. |