How to Obtain A Police Reference

The Data Protection Act 1998 was brought into force on 1 March 2000 . The Subject Access provisions of the Data Protection Act gives an individual the right to have a copy of any personal data held on them.

Section 7 of the Data Protection Act 1998 states that a "data subject" (the person about whom the personal data refers) is entitled, upon written request, to be informed whether or not personal data is held or processed about them.

Should you wish to know what information (if any) the Hampshire Constabulary holds about you, or you would like confirmation that you do, or do not have a prosecution/conviction history.

The procedure for obtaining a Police reference in the UK is:

·         Contact (by phone or internet) your local area Police.  To find your local force on the internet go to www.police.uk and click Official Police Forces to find your area.  By phone ask for the Data Protection Officer.  On the website click Freedom of Info Act and then Data Protection.

·         By phone ask for a Criminal Records Printout.  On the website e-mail the relevant link.

·         The information is held on the Police National Computers and includes "Caution" records.

·         When requesting information included in this scheme please include the following details:

o        The way you would like the information to be sent to you (eg hard copy, via email).

UK Police Forces List