What personal information the police and other agencies can request and how to action requests
Emergency disclosure of data
If you require emergency disclosure of data within the next 24 hours and you are a professional, do not follow the steps below. Instead, contact either:
- Adult Social Care services (Care Direct) on 0117 9222700
- Children and Families services on 0117 903 6444
Schedule 2 Part 1 Para. 2 or Para. 5 Data Protection Act 2018 or Annex 6 Request: 2024 Protocol
The police and other agencies can request access to personal information held by local authorities for specified purposes.
These types of request include Schedule 2 Part 1 Para. 2 or Para. 5 Data Protection Act 2018 for organisations other than police authorities and requests under the Disclosure of Information between Family and Criminal Agencies and Jurisdictions: 2024 Protocol Annex 6 for information requested by the police.
They can ask for information if it's about:
- prevention or detection of crime
- the apprehension or prosecution of offenders
- assessment or collection of tax, duty or imposition of a similar nature.
The Act:
- does not give an automatic right of access to information
- states that public bodies can assess the merits of requests and decide whether or not to apply the exemption
See the Information Commissioners Office guidance about exemptions. It includes reasons we must take into consideration when deciding whether to release information to relevant authorities.
Make a Schedule 2 Part 1 Para. 2 or Para. 5 Data Protection Act 2018 request
You need to:
- fill in document Schedule 2 disclosure request form(87 KB) or pdf Schedule 2 disclosure request form(210 KB)
- get the request signed off by an officer of the rank of inspector or above if the request is from the police
- email the form to subjectaccessrequest@bristol.gov.uk
Check our pdf guidance for completing Schedule 2 requests.(191 KB)
Disclosure of information by Bristol City Council to the Police under Annex 6 - 2024 Protocol
Where the police believe that a third party holds material that may be relevant to their investigation, they may apply for disclosure of relevant information under Annex 6.
Police forces should submit their Annex 6 to subjectaccessrequest@bristol.gov.uk
You can also download a copy of the form here: document Annex 6 NPCC Third Party Material Request Form(70 KB)