Fugitive Criminals Wanted

1. Is it Cheshire Constabulary’s policy to withhold the identity of fugitive criminals wanted by the police in relation to a breach of licence or suspected new offences, or repeat offenders, where the individual has been convicted of an offence carrying a custodial sentence, on the basis of their right to privacy under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, as enacted by the Human Rights Act 1998?

2. If this is Cheshire Constabulary’s policy, how many times has such a decision been made since the policy was introduced?

3. Please list the cases to which your response to question 2 relates, and relevant background (subject to redaction strictly required by law).

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

Question 1: Cheshire Constabulary does not hold such a policy. The Cheshire Constabulary will always take into account Human Rights and Data Protection legislation and any guidance issued by the Information Commissioner, when dealing with such matters. This and other such legislation is designed to protect the rights of individuals and compliance with it removes the need for us to have a separate policy.

Questions 2 & 3. N/A