The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has received an enforcement notice from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) regarding alleged breaches of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The notice refers to 69 freedom of information requests that the IPCC did not resolve within the timeframe set down by law. The ICO has made repeated requests to the IPCC with regard to their handling of such claims as a result of a number of complaints from the public. The IPCC responded claiming they were having difficulties meeting the set timescales due to the large volume of requests.

The enforcement notice requires the IPCC to respond to requests which are overdue by 30 September 2010, either with the information requested or with a valid refusal notice. The IPCC is also required to resolve the cases referred to the ICO within 35 calendar days.