A journalism lecturer would like to hear from reporters in the regional press who have made Freedom of Information requests to police.

Patrick Lavelle, lecturer at the University of Sunderland, is carrying out research into the effectiveness of the FOIA in its first six months.

Anyone willing to complete a brief questionnaire can contact him at The Media Centre, University of Sunderland, St Peter’s Way, Sunderland, SR6 0DD.

Or they can call 0191 5153463 - or e-mail
patrick.lavelle@sunderland.ac.uk