The Information Commissioner has ruled that under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), the Royal Mail must disclose statistics on the number of thefts from private vehicles being used to deliver mail. The Commissioner rejected arguments that the information was exempt from disclosure because it related to investigations and proceedings by the Royal Mail (section 30(1)(b), FOIA), or because disclosure would or would be likely to prejudice the prevention or detection of crime (section 31(1)(a), FOIA). In relation to section 30(1)(b), the Commissioner found that the statistics were not information held for the purpose of an investigation, but were information which led to one. As to section 31(1)(a), the Commissioner considered that disclosure of the statistics would enhance the public's understanding of the risks of delivering mail by this method, and its ability to assess Royal Mail's performance, rather than leading to increased theft.

Source: ICO press release, 24 August 2007; ICO decision notice, 9 August 2007.