2011 Annual Report of the Interception of Communications Commissioner
Case Study 15 – Royal Mail use of Communications Data
Communications data was crucial in progressing an investigation into a series of thefts of
special delivery packets, including passports and visas. Royal Mail Investigation Managers
suspected that an agency driver who was employed to transport the mail items between
Mail Centres (i.e. not on delivery duties) was responsible for the thefts. A wide range
of communications data, including incoming and outgoing call data, subscriber checks
and location data relating to the suspect and his accomplice was acquired. The data was
analysed by the investigator and provided crucial evidence of the identity of the third
party involved and the unauthorised stop made in the delivery route where the thefts
occurred. The data acquired assisted the arrest and search operations, which uncovered
further physical evidence. On 8th March 2012 at Sheffield Crown Court the agency driver
was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, his accomplice received a 6 month custodial
sentence suspended for 12 months and 150 hours community service. He was further
ordered to pay £4,000 as Royal Mail had paid compensation to customers for the loss of
the packets.
The inspections confirmed that the ‘other’ public authorities that were inspected had restricted
the use of their powers to acquire communications data to investigations where they have a
clear statutory duty and responsibility to conduct a criminal investigation. A number of these
public authorities have other functions or civil enforcement work which does not concern the
investigation of criminal offences, and it was good to see that they were ensuring that their
powers under Part I Chapter II of RIPA were not used for those purposes.
“The inspections confirmed that the ‘other’ public authorities that were inspected
had restricted the use of their powers to investigations where they have a clear
statutory duty and responsibility to conduct a criminal investigation.”
7.5.5.Training
The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) continues to take responsibility for the
training and accreditation of police force and law enforcement agency SPoC staff nationally. It
is very important that all staff who are involved in the acquisition of communications data are
well trained and that they also have the opportunity to keep abreast of the developments in the
communications data community and develop their skill level to the best possible standard.
“It is very important that all staff who are involved in the acquisition of
communications data are well trained.”
NPIA have now extended their communications data training to applicants, intelligence officers,
investigators, analysts, DPs and SROs. This will ensure that police forces and law enforcement
agencies are able to make the best use of communications data as a powerful investigative tool
and will also assist to raise the standards being achieved across the board.
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