Royal Mail: Statistics on mail thefts
The Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, has ruled under the Freedom of Information Act that Royal Mail must disclose statistics on the number of thefts from private vehicles being used to deliver mail.
The complainant made a request to Royal Mail concerning the organization’s use of private vehicles to deliver mail. The complainant also requested statistics concerning the theft of mail from private vehicles when being used to deliver mail. Royal Mail did release some of the requested information on the use of private vehicles, but argued that by raising awareness that private vehicles are being used for mail delivery, the disclosure of statistics on thefts would increase the likelihood of these vehicles becoming targets for criminals. In his decision, the Information Commissioner considered whether releasing the statistics on thefts from private vehicles would prejudice the prevention or detection of crime or interfere in any Royal Mail investigation.
The Information Commissioner decided that disclosure of the statistics would not prejudice, or be likely to prejudice, the prevention or detection of crime. The Information Commissioner considers that disclosure of the information would enhance the public’s understanding of the risks of delivering mail by this method and their ability to assess Royal Mail’s performance. These are matters of public interest.
Royal Mail must now disclose the withheld information within 35 calendar days of the ruling. In his decision, the Information Commissioner criticised Royal Mail for failing to respond to the complainant within the statutory deadline.
Either party has the right to appeal against this Decision Notice to the Information Tribunal.
