Unfortunately I am not able to provide you with definitive information in response to your request in relation to "equipment reported ……. stolen". The South Yorkshire Police Crime Recording System does not differentiate between the various Departments or Operational Units who may have been subject of an acquisitive offence. Additionally the same system records reports of crime where ‘South Yorkshire Police’ is shown as the ‘Complainant Organisation’ but the organisation itself has suffered no loss. This is a common practice in the recording of offences where there is no identifiable complainant, for instance the offence of ‘Handling Stolen Goods’. It is therefore not possible to accurately ascertain what, if any, property may have been ‘stolen’ from the above-mentioned units.

In accordance with Section 16 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, concerning my duty to provide advice and assistance, I have attached to this communication a ‘spread sheet’ that details those acquisitive offences where the record details the ‘Complainant Organisation’ as South Yorkshire Police. I must stress that this must not be relied upon as accurately recording property stolen from the Force. These records may well record , for instance, a theft from a South Yorkshire Police vehicle where some or all of the property belonged to the staff member using that vehicle.

Information in relation to ‘lost’ property is more readily available

‘Tactical Firearms Unit losses = 4 flat caps, 1 torch, 1 micro fleece and 1 base ball cap

Traffic Division losses = 2 pairs of speed cuffs, 1 baton & 1 hi visibility long sleeved tabard

Forensic Unit = Nil losses

I hope the information we have provided is of help to your enquiries and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in South Yorkshire Police.