Chris Burns

12 January 2015

Dear Chris Burns

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST

I refer to your request for information dated 10 December 2014, which was received by Cumbria Constabulary on that date. I note you seek access to the following information: -

1) Can you confirm if your force uses the thresholds as published in the "ACPO Speed Enforcement Policy Guidelines 2011 - 2015: Joining Forces for Safer Roads" version 3.0 document as a basis for policy influencing decisions on whether to prosecute motorists found speeding? Section 9.6 has the relevant table and can be found here: http://www.acpo.police.uk/documents/uniformed/2013/201305-uoba-joining-forces-safer-roads.pdf

2) If this is part of force policy and procedures are they treated as guidelines or are there any checks to prevent prosecutions under the thresholds given, such as review by a designated decision maker or is it solely on the discretion of the officer in case?

3) Can you confirm how many prosecutions or fixed penalty notices were issued to drivers that were below the threshold of speed awareness courses in the ACPO guidance (for example between 31-34MPH in a 30MPH limit or 51-56MPH in a 50MPH limit zone) since 2011 broken down by calendar year.

4) In addition to point 3, can you also include how many speed awareness courses were completed for speeds detected below the ACPO guidance for speed awareness courses, broken down by calendar year since 2011.

Your request for information has now been considered and I can confirm that the information you seek is held by Cumbria Constabulary and I have today decided to disclose this to you.

1) Cumbria Constabulary does apply the recommended ACPO guidelines when enforcing speed limits.

2) The way that Cumbria Constabulary’s speed cameras are set up while enforcing speed limits and the equipment used in the ‘central ticket office’ ensures that the ACPO guidelines are adhered to.

3) & 4) Information not held:

Cumbria Constabulary does not hold data for drivers that were under the threshold of Speed Awareness Courses. We begin our enforcement at the level we would offer Speed Awareness Courses - 35mph in 30mph, 46mph in 40mph, 57mph in 50mph and so on.

Complaint Rights

Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet, which details your right of complaint.

If you have any further queries regarding this matter please do not hesitate to contact me again. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in Cumbria Constabulary.

Yours sincerely,

SL Pearce

Disclosure and Compliance Officer

Professional Standards Department

Enc