FOI 812/26

Request

1) Please can you state for crime reports recorded by your force, the number in which the crime report text (described as modus operandi reports by many forces) contains a mention of "Spotify" in each of the following calendar years:

1. i) 2022
2. ii) 2023

iii) 2024

1. iv) 2025
2. v) 2026 (up to June 1)

Additionally, for part 1 - can you please state the type of offence too.

2) Please can you provide a redacted copy of the free text crime reports for these offences recorded by your force in between 1 January and 1 June 2026.

Response

Question 1

A key word search has been completed using our crime and incident reporting system (Niche RMS) for all offences where the MO (Modus Operandi) contains the word *Spotify* reported between 1^st June 2022 and 1^st June 2026.  This search retrieved 5 results. Offences all relate to stalking and harassment.

I have not provided information broken down by year and offence type, the following exemption applies: 

Section 40(2) - Personal Information 

Section 40(2) is an absolute class-based exemption and therefore the authority is not required to consider the public interest in disclosure. 

The Data Protection Act covers processing of personal data about a living individual.  Personal data means data which relate to a living individual who can be identified- 

1. from those data, or
2. from those data and other information which is in the possession of,or is likely to come into the possession of, the data controller or any other person in respect of the individual.

Information will “relate to” a person if it is about them, linked to them, has some biographical significance for them, is used to inform decisions affecting them, has them as its main focus or impacts on them in any way. 

If we disclosed these details, this would provide significant detail which could identify an individual and would breach the first principle of the Data Protection Act 2018. 

In accordance with the Act, this letter represents a refusal notice for your request. 

Question 2

Having read through the crime reports of the five incidents the theme is the same.

They are all saying that the subject has used the Spotify platform to play unwanted songs and sending abusive messages with the intent of causing harassment.

Please note that this data has been gathered by searching our records management system for offences containing the keywords ‘spotify’ for the relevant time period. The results retrieved are dependent on how the information has been entered onto the system.  As such, the information provided should not be considered statistically accurate and/or definitive and therefore, care should be taken when using for any further statistical, analytical or evaluative purposes.