The Data Protection Act 1998 works in two ways:

• It gives individuals (data subjects) certain rights regarding information held about them.
• It places obligations on those who process information (data controllers). The Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police is a data controller for the purposes of the Data Protection Act.

It also requires those who record and use personal information to be open about how the information is used and must follow the eight principles of 'good information handling'. These Principles state that data must be:

• Processed fairly and lawfully
• Processed for limited purposes
• Adequate, relevant and not excessive
• Accurate and up-to-date
• Not kept longer than necessary
• Processed in accordance with the data subject's rights
• Secure
• Not transferred to countries outside European Economic Area without adequate protection

The Data Protection Act is enforced by the Information Commissioner, an independent supervisory authority reporting directly to Parliament.

For further information on the Information Commissioner and the Data Protection Act, please visit the Information Commissioner’s website.

How do I obtain a copy of my prosecution/conviction history and/or any other information Wiltshire police hold on me?

Subject Access

You should apply via the subject access process.

The subject access provisions in Section 7 of the Data Protection Act 1998 gives an individual the right of access to any personal data held on them by a data controller (subject to certain exemptions).

Section 7 of the Data Protection Act 1998 also states that a "data subject" (the person about whom the personal data refers) is entitled, upon written request, to be informed whether or not personal data is held or processed about them.

Please note that Wiltshire Police does not issue documents variously described as 'Certificates of good conduct' or 'police clearance certificates'.

Applications for Visas to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America

The ACPO Criminal Records Office (ACRO) have commenced a six month pilot scheme offering Police Certificates to those individuals who are required to have a police check in order to obtain a Visa for Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the United States of America. In such cases, there is no requirement for individuals to request a subject access check from their local police force. Those persons who require a visa to travel to non pilot countries should still request a subject access check via their local police force.

Please note that this Certificate is processed entirely by the ACPO Criminal Records Office (ACRO). All submissions and enquiries relating to this process should be directed to ACRO, who can be contacted through the following routes:

Telephone: 0845 6013999 (during their office opening hours of 8:30-16:30, Monday to Friday)
E-mail: acro.policecertificates@acro.pnn.police.uk
Address: ACRO, PO Box 481, Fareham, PO14 9FS
Website: www.acpo.police.uk/certificates.asp

How do I apply for subject access?

Should you wish to know what information (if any) Wiltshire Constabulary holds about you, or you would like confirmation that you do, or do not have a prosecution/conviction history, you should complete a Subject Access form (Form 135).

Payment of a £10.00 fee (cash, cheque or a postal order made payable to Wiltshire Police Authority) and proof of identification must accompany a completed application form.

Application forms can be downloaded from the link below or they can be requested from:

Form 135

Data Protection Unit
Chippenham Police Station
Wood Lane
Chippenham
SN15 3DH

0845 408 7000

Please note that once we have received your completed application the process to provide you with information may take up to 40 days (section 7(10) of the Data Protection Act 1998).