By accessing and using OpenPolice ("the Platform"), you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, you must not use the Platform.

These terms apply to all visitors and users, whether or not you hold an account.

OpenPolice is an independent, community-run reference for the UK justice system. The Platform lets you:

• Browse a directory of UK police forces, courts, prisons and custody centres
• Explore stop & search data drawn from official open data
• Find legal-help providers and plain-English legal guidance
• Read staff-authored, cited case studies of cases that shaped UK policing

OpenPolice is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any police force, court, the Home Office or any government body. We operate independently as a public-interest reference resource.

Most of the Platform can be used without an account. If you create one, you may use an anonymous account (identified only by a recovery key you keep) or a full account with an email address. You agree to:

• Keep your recovery key, password and login credentials secure and confidential
• Accept responsibility for activity carried out under your account
• Provide accurate information if you choose to give us any
• Notify us of any unauthorised use of your account

If you lose your anonymous recovery key we may be unable to restore access, because we store only a hashed version of it. We may suspend or terminate accounts used in breach of these terms or for fraudulent or malicious purposes.

You agree to use the Platform only for lawful purposes. You must not:

• Use the Platform to harass, threaten or intimidate any individual
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of the Platform or its data
• Interfere with or disrupt the Platform's operation or security
• Scrape, harvest or bulk-extract data using automated systems without our permission
• Misrepresent the Platform's information as official or as legal advice
• Use the Platform to break any applicable law or regulation

OpenPolice compiles information from publicly available sources and aims to keep it accurate and current. However:

• Information is provided "as is" and may contain errors, omissions or out-of-date entries
• Data drawn from official sources may be delayed relative to the source
• We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness or reliability of any information

You should independently verify information before relying on it, particularly for legal matters or anything time-sensitive.

If you find information on the Platform that is inaccurate, out of date, or that concerns you and you wish to have reviewed, please contact us with the specific page and details. We will:

• Review the relevant record against its source
• Correct any errors in what we have published
• Consider removal requests on a case-by-case basis, balancing the public interest with individual rights

Requests relating to personal data are also handled under our Privacy Policy.

Our collection and use of personal data is governed by our Privacy Policy, which forms part of these terms. We comply with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Key points:

• Most of the Platform can be used with no account and no personal data
• We do not sell personal data and do not use advertising trackers
• You have rights to access, correct and delete your personal data

The Platform and its original content are owned by OpenPolice and protected by intellectual property laws. This includes:

• Website design, logos and branding
• Software, code and functionality
• Original written content, guidance and editorial case studies

Open Government Licence

OpenPolice uses public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, including police, court, prison and other government datasets.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

The Platform links to external websites — official sources, legal-service providers, and donation processors. We are not responsible for the content, accuracy or practices of any third-party site, and a link does not imply endorsement. Your use of any third-party site is governed by that site's own terms and privacy policy.

The Platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. To the extent permitted by law, we make no warranties, express or implied, including that:

• The Platform will be uninterrupted, timely, secure or error-free
• Information obtained through the Platform will be accurate or reliable
• Any errors will be corrected

To the maximum extent permitted by law, OpenPolice shall not be liable for any:

• Indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages
• Loss of profits, data, use, goodwill or other intangible losses
• Loss arising from reliance on information obtained through the Platform
• Damage resulting from third-party content, sites or conduct

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, for fraud, or for any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited under the laws of England and Wales.

We aim to keep the Platform available but may modify, suspend or discontinue any part of it at any time without notice. We may also terminate or suspend your access immediately, without prior notice, for any breach of these terms.

You may stop using the Platform and delete your account at any time. Deletion of your personal data on account closure is handled as described in our Privacy Policy.

We may modify these terms from time to time. When we do, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
• Post a notice on the Platform for material changes

Your continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the new terms.

These terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising from these terms or your use of the Platform are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, contact us: