FOI 0396-2024/25 - Operation Circus

Request

Thank you again for your first response to my query regarding OPERATION CIRCUS.

I have been trying to find out exact details regarding this from Birmingham Crown Court, but have not been terribly successful.

This type of fraud is so important to bring to the public's awareness, which is why I am asking if there is anything more detailed you can enlighten me with.

Q1. How was the scheme put together, was it supposed to be buying bonds, or investing in non-existing gold mines etc ???

Q2. What were the individual defendants responsibility in the scheme ???

Q3. I note that two of the defendants are back in court today but with a different case number, is this an extension to the case or something totally new ??

Q4. Will there be any chance of finding the money to repay the victims or will there be POCA proceedings against the defendants ??

I am really sorry to be such a pain but this still is shrouded in mystery - unless there are further cases to be brought.

Anything you can help me with will be gratefully received, even if it is to refer me to another person/service

Response

Extent of Searches to Locate Information

Following receipt of your request searches were conducted within North Yorkshire Police to locate

relevant information.

Decision

Your request for information below has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) we can neither confirm nor deny if North Yorkshire Police does or does not hold the information you have requested. It is estimated that the cost of complying with your request for information would exceed the “appropriate costs limit” under Section 12(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Section 12 (2) allows a public authority to refuse a request where it estimates that it would exceed to appropriate limit to either comply with the request in its entirety or confirm or deny whether the requested information is held.

Due to the nature of our recording systems; the information requested, if held, is not in an easily retrievable format. To establish if any information relevant to your request is held by North Yorkshire Police, a manual review of the relevant case files across the requested time frame would be required, in order to obtain the requested information. It is not known whether the information retrieved, if possible, would be an accurate representation or reliable set of data. This manual process would exceed the 18-hour time limit allowed under the Act.

Pursuant to Section 17(5) of the Freedom of Information Act this letter acts as a Refusal Notice.

Pursuant to Section 16 of the Act I am required to offer you advice and assistance with regarding to refining your request to within the ‘appropriate limit’ (time/cost limit). However, due to the information provided above I am unable to suggest how you may refine your request and still receive the information within the cost threshold. If you wish to discuss this please do not hesitate to contact me.

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.

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.