Thames Valley Police has refused to say if it holds information about its search for the missing homeless man Karandeep Singh, whose remains were found in Herschel Park last month.

The Observer asked the force to release missing persons reports and appeals for information that it issued for Mr Singh, who went missing in 2021, under freedom of information laws.

But Thames Valley Police (TVP) said it couldn’t confirm or deny whether it holds this information as it would mean releasing personal data. The force’s public access officer said: “Information disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act is disclosed into the public domain, effectively to the world, not just to one individual.

“To confirm or deny whether personal information exists in response to your request could publicly reveal information about an individual or individuals.”

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Karandeep Singh was first reported missing in December 2021 – but his remains were only found in Herschel Park in July this year.

He had recently left temporary accommodation and had previously been known by Slough Borough Council to sleep rough in Herschel Park.

But in previous statements TVP says it wasn’t told that he was homeless when he was first reported missing to the force in December 2021. And it says it only learned of his connection to Herschel Park in August 2023.

Thames Valley Police says it issued media appeals for information ‘when we felt it was needed to assist us in our work'. A police appeal for information was issued to the press in September 2023.

Under the Freedom of Information Act, the Observer asked for TVP to disclose details of any missing persons reports for Karandeep Singh, and any appeals for information it issued for him. The Observer also asked for information the force logged relating to its search for him.

But TVP responded that it could not confirm or deny whether it held this information as it was fell under Section 40 of the act, which protects personal data.

The Observer has asked TVP to review this decision as Section 40 says information is only considered personal data if it relates to any ‘living individual’.

Guidance by the Information Commissioners Office, which regulates information laws, says ‘information about a person who is deceased is not personal data’.

TVP also appeared to suggest that it couldn’t confirm or deny whether it held the information as this could undermine its investigations. But it didn’t say which part of the law allowed it not to do this.