Cabinet Office FOI Complaint Not Upheld - No Information Held

The ICO investigated whether the Cabinet Office properly handled an FOI request for information about 'smashed gangs'. The Cabinet Office claimed it did not hold such information, and the ICO's decision upholds this response. The Commissioner found the Cabinet Office does not hold information within scope and does not require further steps.

For public authorities and FOI practitioners, this decision confirms that where a public body genuinely does not hold requested information, no breach of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 occurs. Complainants should be aware that ICO decisions on FOI matters focus on whether information is held at the time of the request, not on the substance of what was requested.