Sussex Police fails to answer 15% of all Freedom of Information requests on time.

The force, which has come under fire for its failure to answer requests, admitted its own criminality in a Freedom of Information.

It said about 140 responses annually - 15% - were delayed.

A spokesman said: “We continually aim for openness and transparency in providing information, and take all such requests seriously. However like most police forces and other public authorities we are facing a considerable increase in FOI requests, both from members of the public and also media organisations, which is stretching our resources.

“FOI requests to us this calendar year so far show a 41% increase over the same period last year.

“We are currently recruiting additional staff which we hope will help us manage this important work.

“Oversight is provided by the Information Commissioners Office with whom we regularly discuss these issues.”