Freedom of Information Statistics

I would like to request the following information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in hard copy format:

1. Of the 1,450 FOI requests received by Cheshire Police since the Act was introduced up until the end of the third quarter of 2008 are you able to state how many of those requests (either as a figure or a percentage) were submitted by identified journalists or media organisations?
2. Our of that total (all requests) can you tell me the number of FOI requests where the information requested was fully withheld in the public interest and the number of FOI requests where the information was partially withheld in the public interest and the exemptions used by your force to withhold the information in both categories?
3. As a result of the Act coming into force, has your force had to take on extra personnel to deal with FOI requests and if yes how many staff and at what monetary cost to your force (i.e. total salaries)?
4. Without identifying the requester can you give me three examples of the FOI requests your force has dealt with where the information has been either fully or partially withheld in the public interest and three examples where the information has been fully disclosed in the public interest?
5. Has your force received any FOI request which were considered vexatious or frivolous?
6. In the first three months of the Act being implemented (Jan-March 2005) the Cheshire Police received 77 FOI requests and in the third quarter of 2008 151 FOI requests. Can you explain or comment on the reasons for this increase?

In accordance with section 1 (1) (b) of the Act our response is provided below;

1. 36% of the FOI requests received were submitted by identified journalists or media organisations.
2. FOI requests Fully withheld = 145, Partially withheld = 177 from 2006 to the end of Q3 2008.
3. FOI employed 2 full time members of staff. Total cost of those members of staff is £115.732.
4. As part of our FOI Publication Scheme on our website there is a FOI Disclosure Log where you will be able to find examples of where information has been partially or fully withheld due to public interest: Disclosure Log
5. Yes
6. This question is asking for an opinion and as such it is not a valid FOI request for copies of recorded information.