How do I find out what information the police hold on me?

The police record a variety of information, or ‘intelligence’ on people attending protests. This information is retained on databases and shared with other police forces, government institutions and, in some cases, private companies.

You do not need to have committed an offence to become a target for intelligence gathering, and by merely attending a demonstration your presence might be logged. Legal safeguards that limit who and what the police can record are virtually non-existent.

There is a mechanism in place that you can use to obtain information about yourself that the police hold in certain databases. This is known as a Subject Access Request.

This guide will help you make a Subject Access Request by telling you who to contact and what information to request.

1. Why might I want to make a Subject Access Request?
2. What information might be stored on me, and by who?
3. Making a Subject Access Request