Welsh police authorities are breaching the Freedom of Information Act by not responding to requests within 20 days or not at all, Plaid Cymru AM Leanne Wood has learnt.
Figures obtained from the Information Commissioner show that there were 64 official complaints in 2008 and 2009 about Welsh police forces and local authorities failing to comply with Section 10 of the act on response times.
Most complaints, 11 in total, were made about Dyfed Powys Police, seven about South Wales Police, six about Gwent Police and three about North Wales Police.
Out of the 64 complaints 37 related to local authorities with most complaints (8) made about the Isle of Anglesey Council.
Last year Leanne Wood was told that Dyfed Powys Police was providing monthly reports to the Information Commissioner’s Office over the way in which it deals with Freedom of Information requests.
Leanne Wood, who represents South Wales Central, said: “I am concerned at the number of complaints of police forces in Wales failing to comply with the law.
“The Freedom of Information Act is intended to promote openness and transparency among public bodies. People should not have had to go through the Information Commissioner because of delays dealing with requests. They should have been handled promptly.
“My view remains that the Welsh Assembly should be given the powers to deal with the police services as well as prisons, probation, the courts and sentencing.”
Fellow Plaid AM Chris Franks, who also represents South Wales Central, said: “It is a concern if the police forces are not hitting the necessary targets. The public needs to know how effective public bodies act.”
