This page is from APP, the official source of professional practice for policing.
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 provides a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, including the police service (subject to conditions and exemptions). Every request for information should be assessed on its own specific facts.
If a member of the media requests information that is readily available but is not on the force website, it can be provided by the corporate communications department (CCD), unless there is any risk in doing so.
In cases where it would require a disproportionate amount of time to secure the information, or if it is unclear that it should be released, the media representative should be referred to the force’s freedom of information team. Each force should have its own publication scheme.