FOI 0306-2025/26- Dog thefts

Request:

Q1. Please provide the number of reported dog thefts in your jurisdiction for each of the past three full calendar years (2022, 2023, and 2024), as well as for 2025 to date.

• The data should be broken down by month and year, allowing us to understand any annual and seasonal trends.

Q2. If available, I would also like a geographic breakdown of these reported thefts using the most detailed level possible (such as postcode, neighbourhood, or police ward), with the location format clearly stated.

Please also include, if recorded:

Q3. The location type where the theft occurred (e.g., at home, in a local park, from a vehicle, etc.).

Q4. The number of dogs reported stolen that were later found, rescued, or reclaimed.

Q5. The time of day when the incidents occurred (morning, afternoon, evening, overnight, or more specific times if available).

Q6. A breakdown by breed of the dogs reported stolen during the same period.

Response: 

Extent and Result of Searches to Locate Information

To locate the information relevant to your request searches were conducted within North Yorkshire Police.

I can confirm that the information you have requested is held by North Yorkshire Police. 

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the following information to you.

I have disassociated the tables pursuant to section 40(2) – Personal Information. This is to refrain from particular incidents becoming identifiable and consequently the personal details of any persons involved being disclosed.Please see the exemption explanation below.

Q1 & Q2. Please see the table below the number of dog thefts recorded between 01 January 2022 to  15 July 2025 broken down by year, month and Safer Neighbourhood Command (SNC).

Q3. Please see the table below the number of dog thefts recorded between 01 January 2022 to 15 July 2025 broken down by year, month and location.

Q4. Please see the table below the number of dog thefts recorded between 01 January 2022 to 15 July 2025 broken down by year, month and whether the dog was recovered.

Q5. Please see the table below the number of dog thefts recorded between 01 January 2022 to 15 July 2025 broken down by committed hour.

Q6. Please see the table below the breakdown of breeds of dogs stolen in the above crimes.

*Please note, breed is not mandatorily recorded where it is recorded it has been included in the above table. Also please note there are duplicate breeds however each breed has been counted only once.

Exemption Explanation

Section 40 – Personal Information

Where an individual can be identified by such data, releasing it would clearly breach the first data protection principle of being ‘fair’ to the data subject.

Section 17 of the Act requires North Yorkshire Police, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you the applicant with a notice which: (a) states that fact, (b) specifies the exemption in question and (c) states (if that would not otherwise be apparent) why the exemption applies.

Section 40(2) is an absolute class based exemption, which does not require a public interest test, but requires the balancing of the legitimate interests of the public against the interests of the individual under the first Data Protection Principle; in that processing of personal data must be lawful and fair (DPA 2018 35(1), EUGDPR Article 5(1)).

This exemption applies because the right given under the FOI Act to request official information held by public authorities does not apply to the personal data of third parties where disclosure of that information would not be fair to the individual, and where there is no legitimate public interest in disclosure.

In all the circumstances of the case it has been determined that the duty to the individual under the Data Protection Act 2018 & EU General Data Protection Regulations, and the public interest in maintaining the exemption from disclosure of personal information held by the force in such instances, outweighs the public interest in disclosure.  In this instance, personal information can only be disclosed to the individual concerned. 

Releasing personal details to a person other than the data subject would not only breach the data subject’s Data Protection rights it may also breach the obligations placed on an authority under the European Convention on Human Rights

Pursuant to Section 17(1) of the Act this letter acts as a refusal notice under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in relation to your request.

North Yorkshire Police have noted your preference in receiving this information in excel format however, it is our responsibility to protect the personal data and other sensitive information which may be contained within our data sheets. As you may be aware excel data sheets may contain hidden information which may contain personal or sensitive information that, if exposed, could lead to a data breach. It is for this reason we have decided to provide you with the requested information in an alternative format.

Please note that systems used for recording information are not generic, nor are the procedures used locally in capturing the data.  It should be noted therefore that this force’s response to your questions should not be used for comparison purposes with any other responses you may receive.