January 22, 2026 | Organisational Information and Performance , Branch/Departmental Performance
Request Number: FOI/16532
Category: Organisational Information & Performance - Branch/Departmental Performance
Subject: Freedom of Information Requests Received, and Public Interest Tests
Request and Answer:
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) does hold information to which your request relates. The decision has been taken to disclose the following.
Question 1
Any guidance PSNI has received re the use of a PIT (Public interest test) From the ICO?
Clarification requested
For question 1 can you clarify if this is in relation to Section 50 decision notices provided by the ICO? The decision notices are available publically on the ICO website along with guidance for the use of PIT tests. Please see links;
Guidance on Public Interest Tests - The public interest test | ICO
Section 50 Decision Notices - Decision notices | ICO
Clarification Received
In relation to your email re clarification I am withdrawing request 1 and ask that requests 2 and 3 are answered.
Question 2
How many FOI requests have you received in 2025 so far?
Answer
From 1st January 2025 – 22nd December 2025 PSNI have received a total of 2117 FOI requests.
Question 2
Of the requests in your response to request 2 - how many times did you apply a PIT in respect of these requests?
Answer
From 1st January 2025 – 22nd December 2025 there were 271 Public Interest Test extensions applied.