Data Protection / Disclosures
The Data Protection Act 2018 and EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into effect on 25th May 2018. The revised legislation is designed to make data protection laws fit for the digital age and empowers people to take control over their data
The GDPR applies to ‘personal data’ meaning any information relating to an identifiable person who can be directly or indirectly identified in particular by reference to an identifier. The GDPR also applies to both automated personal data and to manual filing systems where personal data are accessible according to specific criteria. This could include chronologically ordered sets of manual records containing personal data.
The Data Protection Act 2018 also contains provisions regarding how personal data can be processed for law enforcement purposes. This includes processing for the prevention, investigation, detection or prosecution of criminal offences, or the execution of criminal penalties, including the safeguarding against and the prevention of threats to public security.
Due to the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic and different working practices that have had to be adopted as a consequence, there may be a delay in processing requests for information that are received by post. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and will of course endeavour to process postal requests as soon as practicable. If possible, requests for information made by email are encouraged. For more information and alternative services, please click here.
Rights of Individuals
The GDPR and Data Protection Act provide individuals with enhanced rights as to how their personal data can be processed. Further information about these rights and about how we process personal data can be found here
Due to the current unprecedented challenges we are all facing during the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) further information about how we may seek to collect and hold additional information about you can be found here
Subject Access
Individuals have the right to have a copy of any personal data held about them, subject to certain exemptions.
Should you wish to know what personal information (if any) Cumbria Constabulary holds about you, for example within incident logs, crime reports, statements, criminal files, etc. you can request this information. To help to facilitate a request and to assist you to provide the information required to enable your request to be processed promptly, you may wish to submit a request on a Subject Access form. A link to the form can be found here.
When submitting a request to Cumbria Constabulary using the provided form, or otherwise in writing, this should be sent to the address shown below. If you require any assistance, or clarification, please also use the below contact details.
The Data Protection Officer
People Department, Corporate Support
Cumbria Constabulary
Police Headquarters
Carleton Hall
Penrith
Cumbria
CA10 2AU
Tel 101 Option 2 Ext 60025 or
0300 1240113 Option 2 Extension 60025
Email: subjectaccess@cumbria.police.uk
In most cases there will be no charge for the provision of this information and, in most cases, the Constabulary will be required to provide a response within one month of receiving your request.
You can also ask for personal information that may be held about you on the Police National Computer (PNC) by applying to the National Police Chiefs’ Council Criminal Records Office (ACRO). Further information about how to do this can be found on the ACRO website at: https://www.acro.police.uk/acro_std.aspx?id=113
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS Check, previously a CRB check)
Please note that an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service check, which is required to work with children, or vulnerable adults, is not submitted directly to Cumbria Constabulary. If you require further details about DBS checks and how to apply for such a check further details can be found from the below website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service/about
Police Certificate
ACRO also issue Police Certificates to people who want to emigrate to, or obtain a visa for, countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cayman Islands, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States of America.
A certificate details whether or not the applicant has a criminal record in the United Kingdom and is required as part of the visa process by the respective high commission or embassy.
Please visit the ACRO website for further information https://www.acro.police.uk/acro_std.aspx?id=67
Family Court Disclosures
Where police information is required specifically for Family Court Proceedings, private and local authority solicitors, and in some cases, parties to those proceedings, may apply to the Police. The disclosure of relevant information may be made where consideration is being given by the Family Courts to children being taken into care or in relation to custody/access rights. An application form and a fee is required to be completed before consideration is given to any disclosure. For an application form or for further information please contact: Familycourtdisclosure@cumbria.police.uk
Road Traffic Collisions
Where information is required in relation to a road traffic collision, to assist with claim to recover the cost of damage to a vehicle, or property a request should be sent by email to: hqcollisionenquiries@cumbria.police.uk
Please note that dependent upon the information requested a fee may be payable for the provision of information.