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West Midlands Police West Midlands Police ™ home

Call 0845 113 5000 for all non-emergencies and enquiries

Data Protection

General explanation: Legislation and ethos

The Data Protection Act 1998 operates in two ways. Firstly it gives us all certain rights. It allows us to find out what information is held about us on a computer, and some paper records. This is known as a "Right of Subject Access".

It also states that those who record and use personal information must be open about how the information is used and they must follow the eight data protection principles. Anyone processing 'personal data' must comply with the eight principles of good practice. These state that data must be:

  • Processed fairly and lawfully
  • Processed for limited purposes
  • Adequate, relevant and not excessive
  • Accurate and up-to-date
  • Not kept longer than necessary
  • Processed in accordance with the data subject's rights
  • Secure
  • Not transferred to countries outside EEA without adequate protection

What is "personal data"?

This is defined as information relating to a "living" individual who can be identified either from the information itself or indirectly by combining the information with other data available to the data controller. Personal data includes expressions of opinion about the individual and any indication of intentions anyone may have in respect of the individual.

Subject Access

The Subject Access provisions of the Data Protection Act give an individual the right to have a copy of any personal data held about them.

Section 7 of the Data Protection Act 1998 states that a "data subject" (the person about whom the personal data refers) is entitled, upon written request, to be informed whether or not personal data is held or processed about them.

Should you wish to know what information (if any) West Midlands Police holds about you, or you would like confirmation that you do, or do not, have a prosecution/conviction history, you must complete a Subject Access form.

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