Non-personalised Information

This category encompasses any information, which does not or cannot be used to establish the identity of a living individual. There are generally no legal restrictions on the exchange of non-personalised data although a duty of confidence may apply in certain circumstances or there could be copyright, contractual, or other legal restrictions (such as the Computer Misuse Act 1990 [http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts1990/Ukpga_19900018_en_1.htm]), which may prevent the information from being disclosed to other parties.

Employees should also check that disclosure is in accordance with any internal organisational policy relating to the disclosure of information to outside bodies (e.g. there may be commercial or policy sensitivities for the organisation, which could make disclosure harmful or inappropriate).

Non-personal information held by public sector agencies may be subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosure may be required, if a lawful request is made to a public authority and there is a legal duty to provide it (certain categories of exemption may apply).

Examples of non-personalised data could include a town map or a list of CCTV camera locations.

Non-personal information can be helpful in profiling local areas, identifying resources/stakeholders, best practice and in calculating the scale, scope and cost of proposed crime reduction interventions.

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