WITNO9890206
WITNO9890206
® Information Rights Team
Your reference:
Our reference: FOI2023/00096
John O'Sullivan
request-953429-1000b6be
24 March 2023
Dear John O'Sullivan,
Freedom of Information Request - FOI2023/00096
We are writing in response to your email received by Post Office Limited (“Post Office”)
on 22 February, which has been dealt with under the terms of the Freedom of Information
Act 2000 (“FOIA”).
In your email you have requested the information shown in bold below:
“Can you say how many SPM's you prosecuted between 1990 and 1999? Can
you say how many SPM you prosecuted between 2000 and 2009? What is the
% increase in the latter figure? What % of 1990-1999 convictions were
overturned? What % Of the latter figure were overturned?’
We can confirm that Post Office does hold the information you have requested. For the
period of 1990-1999, Post Office cannot verify the accuracy of this information due to the
age and way information was recorded before the widespread use of computerised
systems. The surviving historical records for pre-1999 cases are extremely limited, and
the information cannot be relied on as definitive.
A search of these records provides information has provided the following information:
1. Can you say how many SPM's you prosecuted between 1990 and 1999? — Due to the
limited records (please note the caveat above regarding accuracy), we can confirm
there were 65 convictions for postmasters
2. Can you say how many SPM you prosecuted between 2000 and 2009? 380
3. What is the % increase in the latter figure? 484% but please note caveat in relation to
limitation of records as above
4. What % of 1990-1999 convictions were overturned? 0%
5. What % of the latter figure [2000-2009] were overturned?” 8%
You may wish to note that more detailed information regarding historical prosecutions is
available on our website including data about the numbers of both successful and
unsuccessful appeals of cases and the current numbers progressing through the Courts.
https://corporate.postoffice.co.uk/en/historical-matters/historical-matters-
progress/historical-convictions-and-compensation-information-on-progress/
Post Office Limited is registered in England and Wales. Registered No. 2154540. .
Registered Office Finsbury Dials, 20 Finsbury Street. London, EC2Y 9AQ PostOffice.co.uk
Post Office and the Post Office logo are registered trade marks of Post Office Limited Public
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If you are dissatisfied with the handling of this response, you do have a right to request an
internal review. You can do this by writing to the address below stating your reasons for
your internal review request.
Information Rights Team
Post Office Limited
If, having requested an internal review by Post Office, you are still not satisfied with our
response you also have a right of appeal to the Information Commissioner at:
Information Commissioner's Office
Yours sincerely,
Post Office Limited is committed to protecting your privacy, information about how
we do this can be found on our website at www.postoffice.co.uk/privacy.