Processes and procedures when police seize a passport

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.025375

I note you seek access to the following information:

I am requesting information on the processes and procedures when police seize a passport.

1) There is Form R01 for police to complete and send to HMPO - but it appears this is only for circumstances where a passport is seized from the possession of someone who is not the genuine legitimate holder of the passport. Are there any other circumstances where police will complete Form R01 when they seize a passport, and what are they?

2) When the police place bail conditions on a suspect that they surrender their passport to the police, do the police notify HMPO, and if so what form or method do they use? Do the police retain the passport in their custody or do they return it to HMPO?

3) In a situation where police seize a passport from a suspect during a routine search warrant (and the passport was in possession of the rightful owner), what do the police do? Do they inform HMPO that the passport has been seized, and if so what form or method do they use? Do the police retain the passport in their custody or do they return it to HMPO?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - There is Form R01 for police to complete and send to HMPO - but it appears this is only for circumstances where a passport is seized from the possession of someone who is not the genuine legitimate holder of the passport. Are there any other circumstances where police will complete Form R01 when they seize a passport, and what are they?

The MPS do not hold this information. The Her Majesty’s Passport Office FOI Team may be able to assist. Their details are:

Freedom of information requests
Parliamentary and diplomatic enquiries team
Her Majesty's Passport Office
Globe House
89 Eccleston Square
London
SW1V 1PN
United Kingdom
Email:
[email protected]

Q2 - When the police place bail conditions on a suspect that they surrender their passport to the police, do the police notify HMPO, and if so what form or method do they use? Do the police retain the passport in their custody or do they return it to HMPO?

Q3 - In a situation where police seize a passport from a suspect during a routine search warrant (and the passport was in possession of the rightful owner), what do the police do? Do they inform HMPO that the passport has been seized, and if so what form or method do they use? Do the police retain the passport in their custody or do they return it to HMPO?

The MPS do not inform Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO). We retain the item in the property store.