The Prolific and Other Priority Offenders Strategy
Information Sharing
Introduction
The Prolific and other Priority Offenders Strategy requires effective information sharing between partners. Key points to be considered by practitioners considering data sharing in support of the strategy are:
- Information can be shared for any legitimate purpose where there is a legal basis;
- Sound arrangements and clarity about processes and types of information to be shared is essential.
Office of the Information Commissioner and Home Office statement
'The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 provides a legal basis for data sharing whilst the Data Protection Act 1998 provides a legal framework for good practice in handling personal information. These acts should facilitate responsible information sharing between agencies in pursuit of a reduction in crime and disorder. They should be seen as regulating rather than prohibiting.'
PPO Information Sharing Protocol
This protocol has been developed to help practitioners steer their way through the procedural steps to ensure local arrangements are sound and lawfully based.
Protocol Document 
(Portable Document Format 172KB)
PPO & Drug Interventions Programme Information Sharing
The Home Office have produced a short briefing to outline the ethos of DIP/PPO information sharing and to address three areas where understanding the parameters is vital:
- The role of effective information sharing to ensure effective continuity of care;
- PPO and DIP interventions can only be effective if those involved with an individual are able to share information necessary to ensure an appropriate response;
- Information sharing and intelligence gathering, for example the use of aggregated information in identifying crime hot spots.
PPO and DIP Information Sharing (Portable Document Format 77KB)
Questions
If you have any questions regarding information sharing or the protocol contact: gwyn.jones6@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Last update: Thursday, September 20, 2007