PCSOs in Force

Please can you provide me with the following information for the calendar years 2007, 08, 09:

1. the number of PCSOs at your force in each of these years
2. the amount spent on PCSO salaries at your force in each of these years
3. the number of crimes PCSOs at your force have detected in each of these years
4. the number of fixed penalty notices PCSOs at your force have issued in each of these years
5. the number of times PCSOs at your force have seized alcohol in each of these years
6. the number of times PCSOs at your force have seized tobacco in each of these years
7. the number of times PCSOs at your force have removed abandoned vehicles in each of these years

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

From our preliminary assessment, we estimate that compliance with your request would exceed the appropriate costs limit under section 12 of the Freedom of information Act 2000. This is currently £450.

For the three year period you are seeking information about we would be required to do a manual trawl of each PCSO's Pocket note book. This it is estimated would exceed the appropriate limit. The appropriate limit is defined in the Data Protection and Freedom of Information (Fees and Appropriate Limit) Regulations 2004, which is covered by statutory Instrument Number 3244 of 2004. Furthermore, Section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 allows a public authority to refuse to respond to a request for information where the cost of compliance would exceed the appropriate limit as defined by the above mentioned regulations.

Rather than refusing your request at this stage, I would like to explore with you how the Cheshire Constabulary may best assist you to request relevant information which we hold. We can probably supply you with a response to your first two questions in relation to PCSOs in force and the amount spent on salaries each year. It is unlikely that we can provide any other information within the cost limits.