Request for information on various force policies
Reference: 25023
Date Added: Thursday, January 8, 2026
Category:
Disclosure Details
Two duties are placed on public authorities under Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). Notwithstanding applicable exemptions, the first duty at, Section 1(1) (a), is to confirm or deny whether the information specified in a request is held. The second duty at, Section1 (1) (b), is to disclose information that has been confirmed as being held. Under the provisions of those sections of the FOIA, we can confirm that the information you seek is not held by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent.
You requested the following information:
1. Crime Recording Policy: A copy of the current Gwent Police internal policy or SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) regarding the recording of crimes under the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS).
No information held
2. Threshold for Recording: Any internal guidance provided to the Professional Standards Department (PSD) that specifies the evidentiary threshold required to record a crime. Specifically, does Gwent Police policy require "points to prove" to be evidenced prior to a crime being recorded, or does it follow the NCRS "Balance of Probabilities" test based on the victim’s report?
No information held
3. Offences Against the State: Any specific policy documents relating to the recording of "Offences Against the State" (e.g., Perverting the Course of Justice / Misconduct in Public Office).
No information held
4. Exhibit Loss Protocol: The Gwent Police policy regarding the procedure to be followed when a "High Value" or "Evidential" exhibit (such as a mobile phone) is lost while in police custody, including the requirement to report such loss as a potential crime (Theft or Misconduct).
No Information held
I wanted to clarify the differences between the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and Gwent Police and to explain who you need to contact when requesting information. The OPCC and Gwent Police are two separate organisations. The role of the OPCC is to hold the police to account, we are not able to get involved in operational policing matters. Therefore, you may wish to contact Gwent Police directly to request the information using the following link https://www.gwent.police.uk/rqo/request/ri/request-information/rip/request-information-police/
The Freedom of Information Act is a public disclosure regime, not a private regime. Any information disclosed under the Act is thereafter deemed to be in the public domain, and therefore freely available to the general public and will be published on the OPCC website.
You have the right to appeal our decision if you think it is incorrect. Should you feel dissatisfied with this response or the way in which your request was handled, information on the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent FOI Appeals Procedure can be found on our website:
If you remain dissatisfied after an internal review decision, you have the right to apply to the Information Commissioner’s Office. The Commissioner is an independent regulator whose details can be found using the following link https://ico.org.uk/
You can also write to the Information Commissioner’s Office at the following address:
Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF