Written question asked by Lord Laird (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Wallace of Saltaire (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 26 April 2011.

Anti-social Behaviour: Databases

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will request the Information Commissioner’s Officeto audit the development, installation and operation of the eight pilot anti-social behaviour databases; and whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of any subsequent reports by the commissioner on this matter.

Answer: In January, the Home Office announced that eight police forces have volunteered, with local partners, to trial a new approach to handling calls from the public about anti-social behaviour, with the aim of improving the service to repeat and vulnerable victims. However, there is no requirement that participants develop new databases as part of this work. The trials are based on a small number of core principles, including the use of risk-assessment tools to identify vulnerable victims and the use of off-the-shelf IT systems to facilitate information sharing between agencies. The eight forces are free to decide how to adopt those principles locally. The Home Office has had no discussions with the Information Commissioner relating to this work and has no plans to do so.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 8582; 727 c4-5WA
Session: 2010-12
Subjects: Databases Anti-social behaviour Pilot schemes Police Information Commissioner's Office
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk