ICO calls for an end to the excessive collection of personal information

Information Commissioner calls for an end to the excessive collection of personal information from victims of rape and serious sexual assault

 

The Information Commissioner has released new guidance urging police forces to change the way they approach gathering information from victims of rate and other serious crimes.

There have been long standing and well reported concerns about the amount and volume of data police forces require from victims when investigating crimes. It has led to people feeling re-traumatised and in some instances dropping their complaints. Many have questioned whether, for example, a victim’s school records are a reasonable and proportionate level of data to seek about a victim who has made an allegation of sexual assault.

Now the Information Commissioner has released a Commissioner’s Opinion, which is formal guidance on how to comply with Data Protection Law, on how police forces should proceed in future.

The Opinion, called “Who’s Under Investigation” is available here. It discusses the lawful basis for collecting and processing data for police investigations, the need for change in this area, and useful checklists for both police forces and third party organisations providing information.