Surrey Police Slammed Over FOI Failures
Surrey Police has been hit with an enforcement notice by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) after repeatedly bungling Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. The force is drowning in a massive backlog, dragging its compliance rate down to a paltry 54% — a sharp fall from 69% last year.
Backlog Nightmare: Oldest Request Over Two Years Late
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, public bodies must respond to requests within 20 working days. Surrey Police has failed to meet this deadline consistently. Some requests have been left unanswered for over two years, sparking serious concerns about transparency.
“Timely responses to Freedom of Information requests are essential for maintaining transparency and trust in public bodies like police forces,” said Phillip Angell, Head of Freedom of Information Casework. “Surrey Police’s failure to meet even the basic requirements is entirely unacceptable.”
ICO Demands Action Within 30 Days or Else
The ICO has ordered Surrey Police to submit a detailed action plan within 30 days outlining how they will clear the backlog and ensure future FOI requests are handled on time.
Failure to act could see the force held in contempt of court, facing serious legal consequences. This crackdown highlights the ICO’s firm stance on holding public institutions accountable.
Warning Shot to All Public Bodies
The enforcement notice is a stark reminder to all public bodies: transparency is non-negotiable. Surrey Police will now face intense scrutiny as they struggle to regain public trust and fix their FOI mess.
