Privacy and cookies

Data and privacy

How we collect and use data is set out in our privacy notice.

Cookies

When we provide services, we want to make them easy, useful and reliable. Where services are delivered on the internet, this sometimes invloves placing small amounts of information on your device, for example, computer or mobile phone. These include small files known as cookies. They cannot be used to identify you personally.

These pieces of information are used to improve services for you through, for example:

  • enabling a service to recognise your device so you don’t have to give the same information several times during one task
  • recognising that you may already have given a username and password so you don’t need to do it for every web page requested
  • measuring how many people are using services, so they can be made easier to use and there’s enough capacity to ensure they are fast

You can manage these small files yourself and learn more about them through aboutcookies.org (external link).

Our use of cookies

HMICFRS uses the following cookies on this site:

  • So service is available when you want it and fast, we measure numbers and volumes of visitors using __utma.
  • To understand what visitors want to view and not to view, so we can improve the service you receive and archive what is not required, we use __utmb, __utmc, and __utmz.
  • To allow us to identify when you have opted to view the site in high-contrast mode, and therefore deliver the site in this mode automatically (whenever you load a new page or return to the website) we use high-contrast. This cookie will last for 90 days, or until you disable high-contrast mode.