Chief Constable Bedfordshire Police

The complainant has requested a copy of materials used as part of a technology presentation. Bedfordshire Police disclosed some information but it would neither confirm nor deny (NCND) whether it held further information falling in scope of the request, citing sections 24(2) (National security) and 31(3) (Law enforcement) of FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that neither exemption is engaged. He also finds procedural breaches of sections 1 and 10 of FOIA, in relation to Bedfordshire Police’s delayed response to the request. The Commissioner requires Bedfordshire Police to issue a fresh response, confirming or denying whether it holds further information falling within scope of the request. If it does hold further information, that information must either be disclosed or a refusal notice must be issued which is compliant with section 17 of FOIA.