FOI 1076/26
REQUEST
- Investigations Volume: In the calendar years 2023, 2024, and 2025, how many recorded allegations or internal investigations were opened by the Professional Standards Department (PSD) regarding (a) police officers and (b) police staff for unauthorised, improper, or illegal access to force data systems (specifically including ANPR/NAS, Police National Computer, or local force intelligence networks)?
- Misconduct Outcomes: Of those recorded investigations, how many resulted in a formal finding of Misconduct or Gross Misconduct?
- Disciplinary Sanctions: What were the recorded outcomes of these cases (e.g., management action, written warnings, resignations prior to hearing, or dismissals without notice)?
- Criminal Referrals: How many cases involving unauthorised data access or ANPR misuse were referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for consideration of criminal charges (such as under the Computer Misuse Act 1990, Data Protection Act 2018, or Misconduct in Public Office)?
RESPONSE
Question 1
- PSD systems were searched for allegations that related to [D – Access and/or disclosure of information] [D1 Use of police systems] – this category includes all policing systems including NAS, PNC and force intelligence networks
- The timeframe searched was 1/1/2023 and 31/12/2025
Results
|
Staff Type |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
Total |
|
Number of cases with a Police officer subject |
18 |
34 |
26 |
78 |
|
Number of cases with a Police staff subject |
13 |
14 |
20 |
47 |
|
Total |
31 |
48 |
46 |
125 |
Question 2
- The outcome of each of the investigations in Question 1 were collated and those that were referred to proceedings and a formal finding of Misconduct/ Gross Misconduct were identified.
Results
|
Misconduct Level |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
Total |
|
Misconduct |
|
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
Gross Misconduct |
3 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
Question 3
Of the 11 cases that went to proceedings the sanctions were collated.
Results
|
Sanction |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
Total |
|
Written Warning |
|
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
Final Written Warning |
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
Would have been Dismissed |
1 |
2 |
|
3 |
|
Dismissed |
2 |
|
1 |
3 |
|
Total |
3 |
3 |
5 |
11 |
Question 4
Each case was reviewed and cross referenced with NICHE to determine if there had been a referral to the CPS for the consideration of criminal charges.
Caveat
Please note that some criminal cases regarding the improper use of force systems (Computer Misuse Act 1990 / Data Protection Act 2018) are eligible for police issued caution and so would not require a referral to the CPS.
Results
There was one referral to the CPS for charges.