FOI 887/25

Request

Within the last 5 years, how many 'big cat' sightings have been recorded within the counties of South Wales? (This would exclude anything regarding 'domestic-size' cats, with the report potentially mentioning either panther/black leopard, lynx or puma/mountain lion-type sightings/encounters)

o        Broken down by month and location if possible.

•  Could the approx. location of each sighting please be disclosed, as well as whether an officer followed-up, in-person, on the report - and if there was any outcome to the animal

Response

We conducted a search using our crime and incident recording system (NICHE RMS) using the keywords *panther* *black leopard*, *lynx*, *puma*, and *mountain lion* within the requested time frame. This search retrieved 689 results. 

We estimate it would take around four to five minutes to interrogate each occurrence to see if it is relevant to your request, the location of the sighting, if there was a follow up and the outcome.

We therefore estimate it would take in excess of 52 hours to retrieve the information.

It is estimated that the cost of providing you with the information is above the amount to which we are legally required to respond i.e. the cost of locating and retrieving the information exceeds the "appropriate level" as stated in the Freedom of Information (Fees and Appropriate Limit) Regulations 2004.

In the case of the police service, the appropriate limit is £450 which has been calculated to equate to a total of 18 hours of work.

If any part of the request exceeds the fees limit then Section 12 applies to the whole request.

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000, this letter acts as a refusal notice.

Excess cost removes the forces obligation under the Freedom of Information Act, however under Section 16 – Duty to provide advice and assistance, an authority is required to offer an applicant the opportunity to redefine their request within the cost limit. If you were to shorten the time frame to one or two years, we may be able to assist with your request.