RETENTION PERIODS FOR RECORDS/EXHIBITS

Reference number: 
20110362
Request date: 
07/2011
Response date: 
02/08/2011 (All day)
Request details: 

 
We have an enquiry regarding the time limit for the retention of records and evidence connected to the occurrence of an incident.
 
On 20th July 2010 my partner and I were involved in an incident where my partner was attacked and seriously injured. 

 
We want to know the time period these records and actual physical items such as weapons, the finger prints upon these weapons and DNA also CCTV footage are retained before they are destroyed. 
 
We believe it is either 1 year 1 year and a day or 13 months.  We would like to know which one of these the actual time limit. 

Exemptions Applied: 

NIL

SYP response: 

As I stated in my previous correspondence, The question of time limits for the retention of records by the Force does not have a specific answer. The period of retention depends on the type of record and the seriousness of the matter to which it refers. Sometimes this is also affected by outside considerations, not the least of which is the time limits placed on the institution of civil proceedings (currently 6 years). Comprehensive guidance is published in the National Policing Improvement Agency document 'The Management of Police Information'. Section (or chapter) 7 of this document covers the review, retention and disposal of information.

This document is publicly available and can be found at:
With regard to your request concerning the periods for retention of physical evidence or 'exhibits': -
Periods of retention may be affected by several matters not the least of which is the issue of the availability of and demands on suitable storage. As a result policy regarding retention of such items may vary between operational Policing Districts within the Force. I have made enquiries with the relevant Policing District responsible for the area in which you state the alleged attack took place. That District has responded as follows: -
"With regard to retention periods all procad incidents are retained for 13 months. Property which would include items such as weapons are retained until authority by the OIC is given to either return to the owner or secure disposal. CCTV recordings are retained for 28 days unless retained by the OIC for investigation."