Subject Access Request

Under data protection legislation you have the right to request confirmation from the PSNI as to whether or not we are processing your personal data and, where that is the case, to receive a copy of your personal data unless an exemption applies. However, you may not need to apply for a Subject Access Request to obtain the information you are looking for. Please read the following information as it may assist you to find the correct team to help you with your request:

  • Police National Computer (PNC) - ACRO processes subject access requests only for information held on the Police National Computer (PNC) on behalf of UK policing. The PNC is a national database used by police forces and law enforcement agencies across the United Kingdom.

     

    To make a PNC Subject Access Request (SAR), you must contact ACRO Criminal Records Office, and not PSNI, by visiting the ACRO website Subject Access.

     

    Your disclosure will include information stored on the PNC, such as:

    • Arrests
    • Cautions
    • Convictions
    • Non-convictions (e.g., penalty notices, final warnings, reprimands)
    • Driving disqualifications
    • Firearms certificate details

    Please note: ACRO cannot provide information held on local PSNI systems (for example incident reports, crime records, custody data). To access local information, you must apply directly to PSNI using the link at the bottom of this page.

  • Police Certificate – required for emigration, some travel, visas to live and/or work abroad, or to obtain citizenship or residency in another country.  Applications should be made via the ACRO website.
  • Civil Proceedings and Legal Action - If you are a solicitor, have a Court Order (if you are unrepresented), or represent another professional body e.g Insurance provider and you require disclosure of information for legal proceedings, or are taking action against individuals or organisations, please visit Third Party Information Request to progress your request.
  • Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme - make a Domestic Violence Disclosure Application
  • Child Protection Disclosure - make a Child Protection Disclosure Application
  • Disclosure for Employment purposes - It is a criminal offence for a current or prospective employer or recruitment agency to require you to make a Subject Access Request to Police as a condition of employment or for the provision of goods or services. This is known as enforced subject access. However, you can choose to apply via the relevant link below:
  • Firearms Licence Application - make an a firearms application online
  • Asking PSNI to Delete, Update or Correct Your Personal Information - Please contact [email protected]
  • Complain regarding your Personal Information: Please contact [email protected]
  • Freedom of Information Requests - If you would like to request recorded information about the PSNI, please refer to our Freedom of Information section

You can find further information in relation to accessing your personal data on the Information Commissioner's Office website.

Applications for personal information on someone else's behalf

We can only supply your personal data to yourself. If you are making an application on behalf of any other person or third party, please make sure you obtain an original letter of authorisation from that individual. Please also ensure that this individual has signed the letter and provided their identification documents.

Personal information about your child

Information about children may be released to a person with parental responsibility. However, the best interests of the child will always be considered.

Even if a child is very young, data about them is still their personal data and does not belong to anyone else. It is the child who has a right of access to the information held about them.

Before responding to a request for information held about a child we will consider whether the child is mature enough to understand their rights. If we are confident that the child can understand their rights, then we will respond to the child rather than the parent. What matters is that the child is able to understand (in broad terms) what it means to make a subject access request and how to interpret the information they receive as a result of doing so
 

Make a Subject Access Request

If you are unable to locate the information you require within the above links you may be able to obtain this by submitting a Subject Access Request.  

When making your request, we will ask you to supply the following information; please have this readily available before beginning your application:

  • Your name
  • Copies of at least two original, official documents which between them provide sufficient information to prove your name, date of birth and current address.
  • You may require Photographic ID if you are requesting CCTV or Body Worn Video footage
  • You may require evidence of parental responsibility if you are seeking personal information on behalf of your child
  • You will require an original letter of authority and identification documents for the data subject (person whose information you are requesting), when making a request for personal information on someone else’s behalf  
  • A full description of the specific personal information you require
     

If you wish to submit a request – please select the 'Make a Subject Access Request’ button below.

Make a Subject Access Request

If you are dissatisfied with how your request has been dealt with, you can send an email containing your request response and details of your complaint to [email protected].