11756 Postal Theft

I write in connection with your request for information dated 17^th February 2020 and received by this office on that date.  Below are the questions raised in your request and our response.

I would like to know the numbers of reported incidents of postage theft in your police force.

I would like this data for the last two calendar years – 2018 and 2019.

1. a) We have made enquiries with the PQR Performance Team and the analyst has provided us with the below data for Home Office Code 042/00 - Theft of mail bag or postal packet - unlawfully taking away or opening of mail bag.

2018 – 2

2019 – 5               

If possible, could this data be broken down by the postcode area in which it occurred.

We do not record and/or sort data by post code but given the small numbers if done this information, could, if added to information held or obtained from another source, lead to identification of an individual.

Please note any statistical data supplied in relation to Freedom of Information requests is a snapshot of data held at the time the request was received by the Freedom of Information office and is subject to constant change/updates.

The Cleveland Police response to your request is unique and it should be noted that Police Forces do not use generic systems or identical procedures to capture and record data therefore responses from Cleveland Police should not be used as a comparison with any other force response you receive.

If you are not satisfied with this response or any actions taken in dealing with your request you have the right to request an independent internal review of your case under our review procedure. The APP College of Policing guidance states that a request for internal review should be made within 20 working days of the date on this response or 40 working days if extenuating circumstances to account for the delay can be evidenced.