PO Box 481 Fareham PO14 9FS: Who Uses It and Is It Legitimate?

Last Updated: 20.10.2026

Receiving an unexpected letter from PO Box 481, Fareham, PO14 9FS can raise questions, particularly when the correspondence concerns criminal records, personal information or an official police matter.

PO Box 481 is a genuine postal address used in connection with ACRO Criminal Records Office and certain National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) correspondence. It is not simply an ordinary commercial PO Box.

However, the address appearing on a letter does not automatically prove that every piece of correspondence displaying it is genuine. Anyone receiving unexpected mail should identify the organisation named in the letter and independently confirm its contact information before sending sensitive documents, personal information or money.

In 2026, understanding the distinction between ACRO, the NPCC and the different services connected with this Fareham address is particularly important.

Who Uses PO Box 481 Fareham PO14 9FS?

PO Box 481, Fareham, Hampshire, PO14 9FS is associated with official UK policing-related correspondence.

One of its main users is ACRO Criminal Records Office, a national police unit hosted by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary. ACRO works with UK and international law-enforcement organisations and handles criminal-record information for several purposes.

The address is also used in correspondence involving the National Police Chiefs’ Council. For example, the NPCC directs certain personal-information enquiries to its National Police Freedom of Information and Data Protection Unit at PO Box 481.

This means it is misleading to describe PO Box 481 as belonging exclusively to one particular ACRO service.

The important question is therefore not simply who “owns” the PO Box, but which police unit or service is named in the correspondence you received.

People dealing with other forms of police-related PO Box correspondence may encounter similar arrangements where central postal addresses are used for different official administrative functions.

Why Might You Receive a Letter From PO Box 481 Fareham?

There are several legitimate reasons why correspondence linked to PO Box 481 may arrive at your address.

If you previously contacted ACRO, the letter could concern a Police Certificate, additional information requested during an application, a complaint or another disclosure-related matter.

ACRO’s published complaints guidance confirms that correspondence concerning disclosure products such as Police Certificates, International Child Protection Certificates and PNC Subject Access matters can be directed through PO Box 481.

The address can also appear in connection with NPCC Freedom of Information matters. Published NPCC correspondence shows PO Box 481 being used as a contact address for FOI responses and requests for internal reviews.

Other possible reasons include:

• Record Deletion Matters: ACRO’s Information Management unit handles applications relating to deletion from national police systems.
• Data Protection Enquiries: Certain correspondence may involve the use or management of personal data.
• International Record Matters: ACRO deals with criminal-record information used in UK and international contexts.
• Complaints Or Concerns: Correspondence about an ACRO disclosure product may use this postal address.

Receiving the letter does not automatically mean you have a criminal record. Its meaning depends entirely on the service, application or enquiry involved.

Is PO Box 481 Fareham PO14 9FS Legitimate or a Scam?

PO Box 481 Fareham PO14 9FS is a genuine address used for official policing-related correspondence.

The NPCC publishes the address on its own website for particular data-protection enquiries, while ACRO documentation also confirms its use for official correspondence.

That does not mean a letter should be trusted solely because the address appears on the envelope.

Fraudsters can copy genuine organisation names, logos and postal addresses. The same principle applies when trying to verify an unfamiliar PO Box letter. The complete contents and sender details need to be checked.

Be particularly cautious if a letter:

• Demands Immediate Payment: Especially when there is no clear explanation of why money is owed
• Requests Security Information: Such as passwords, PINs or authentication codes
• Uses Unfamiliar Payment Details: Particularly a personal bank account or unrelated payee
• Contains Unexpected Links Or QR Codes: Do not use them until the sender has been independently verified
• Provides Different Contact Details: Compare telephone numbers, email addresses and websites with official sources
• Requests Unnecessary Identity Documents: Check why the documents are required before sending them

If the communication is unexpected, locate ACRO or NPCC contact information independently rather than relying entirely on details printed in the letter.

What Is ACRO and How Is It Connected to the NPCC?

ACRO stands for the Criminal Records Office. It was founded in 2006 and is part of the UK police service.

ACRO is hosted by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary and works closely with organisations including the NPCC, National Crime Agency, Home Office and Immigration Enforcement. Its work centres on securely processing and exchanging criminal-history information.

This explains why ACRO and NPCC references can both appear when researching PO Box 481.

The NPCC itself is not a police force and does not investigate or record crimes. It also states that it is not responsible for information held on the Police National Computer.

However, its National Police Freedom of Information and Data Protection Unit handles particular information requests and uses PO Box 481 for certain correspondence.

Therefore, a letter from the Fareham address should be read carefully to determine whether the responsible organisation is ACRO, the NPCC or a specific unit operating through them.

What Is PO Box 481 Fareham Used For?

PO Box 481 has several documented uses rather than one single function.

ACRO’s published record-deletion guidance specifically identifies its Information Management unit at PO Box 481 as a route for applications and enquiries relating to deletion from national police systems.

This wider range of functions is why assuming every PO Box 481 letter relates to a Police Certificate can lead to confusion.

Should Subject Access Requests Be Sent to PO Box 481?

Not every Subject Access Request should automatically be posted to PO Box 481.

A Subject Access Request allows a person to request personal information held about them. ACRO provides a dedicated Subject Access service covering certain information held on the Police National Computer.

ACRO’s current Subject Access terms state that a person has the right to be told whether relevant offence or conviction information is held about them and, where applicable, receive a copy. ACRO states that valid requests are generally dealt with within one month after the required documentation has been received.

The service has historically used a separate PO Box 623 postal address for Subject Access correspondence.

Because addresses and application procedures can change, anyone submitting a new request in 2026 should use the postal or online route shown in ACRO’s current Subject Access instructions rather than assuming PO Box 481 is appropriate.

This distinction also matters in other types of data-protection correspondence, where organisations may operate separate addresses for general communication and formal data-rights requests.

What Is the Difference Between PO Box 481 and PO Box 623 Fareham?

Both addresses have been associated with ACRO, but they serve different purposes.

PO Box 481 is widely used for general ACRO correspondence and several specialist functions, including complaints, information management and record-deletion enquiries. It also appears in certain NPCC FOI and data-protection correspondence.

PO Box 623 has been used specifically for ACRO Subject Access Requests involving access to an individual’s own police-record information.

Current 2026 third-party listings continue to identify:

ACRO (SAR), PO Box 623, Fareham, Hampshire, PO14 9FS

as the Subject Access postal route.

However, older documents show variations in the postcode used with PO Box 623. This is an important reason not to rely on an old form, forum post or archived address when sending sensitive identity documents.

Always confirm the current instructions directly through ACRO before posting a Subject Access application.

What Do No Trace and No Live Trace Mean on an ACRO Police Certificate?

People researching PO Box 481 frequently encounter the terms No Trace and No Live Trace in connection with ACRO Police Certificates.

ACRO uses a step-down model that determines how convictions are filtered when Police Certificates are prepared.

A No Live Trace result therefore should not simply be interpreted as meaning that a person has a currently disclosed conviction.

The exact significance can matter for visa and immigration applications, particularly where another country’s authorities ask applicants to provide additional information.

Applicants should answer immigration or legal questions accurately based on the requirements of the authority receiving the certificate.

Is an ACRO Police Certificate the Same as a DBS Check?

No. An ACRO Police Certificate and a DBS check are different products designed for different purposes.

ACRO’s work includes Police Certificates commonly used where overseas authorities require information about a person’s UK criminal-record history.

DBS checks, by comparison, are particularly associated with employment and safeguarding in England and Wales.

The Disclosure and Barring Service offers Basic, Standard, Enhanced and Enhanced with Barred Lists checks. The information disclosed varies depending on the type of check and the person’s eligibility.

A Basic DBS check, for example, normally shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions. More detailed DBS checks are available for eligible roles such as certain positions involving children, healthcare or other regulated activities.

A Subject Access Request is different again. Its purpose is to enable a person to obtain qualifying personal information held about themselves rather than provide an employment vetting certificate.

How Can You Contact ACRO in 2026?

ACRO publishes different contact routes depending on the type of enquiry.

Its published complaints guidance lists customer.services@acro.police.uk and telephone number +44 (0)23 8045 1477 for concerns relating to ACRO disclosure products. It also identifies PO Box 481, Fareham, Hampshire, PO14 9FS as a postal address.

Specialist matters may need a different route.

For example, ACRO publishes deletions@acro.police.uk for record-deletion enquiries and separate information-management and data-protection contacts.

Telephone opening hours, online application systems and departmental contact arrangements can change. For that reason, anyone contacting ACRO in 2026 should confirm the latest information through the official ACRO website before sending sensitive documents.

If your correspondence specifically identifies the NPCC rather than ACRO, follow the NPCC contact route relevant to the particular FOI or data-protection matter.

What Should You Do After Receiving a Letter From PO Box 481 Fareham?

Do not ignore an official-looking letter, but equally, do not assume that you must immediately provide information or make a payment.

First, read the complete document and identify the organisation named inside it. Look for an application reference, case number, customer reference or explanation of why you have been contacted.

Next, consider whether the correspondence matches something you have recently done. You may have applied for a Police Certificate, submitted an information request, raised a complaint or contacted a police-related organisation.

If you cannot recognise the matter, independently search for the organisation’s official website and confirm the contact information rather than following an unexpected link or QR code.

This is particularly important when trying to identify who actually sent an unfamiliar letter, as a return address alone is not sufficient proof of the sender’s identity.

Keep the letter and envelope until the issue is resolved. If you need to respond, follow the current official instructions for the specific service rather than automatically sending documents back to the return address.

Conclusion

PO Box 481 Fareham PO14 9FS is a genuine postal address used for official UK policing-related correspondence, particularly in connection with ACRO Criminal Records Office and certain NPCC functions.

Letters from the address can relate to Police Certificates, complaints, Freedom of Information matters, data protection, record deletion and other criminal-record administration.

However, the address alone should never be treated as proof that a particular letter is authentic. Recipients should identify the organisation named in the correspondence and verify its details independently before providing sensitive information.

It is also important to distinguish PO Box 481 from ACRO’s separate Subject Access arrangements. Using the correct service and current contact route can prevent delays when dealing with criminal-record or information-rights matters in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can PO Box 481 Fareham Be Used for Police Record Deletion Requests?

Yes. ACRO’s published guidance identifies PO Box 481 as a postal route for its Information Management unit, which coordinates record-deletion requests involving national police systems.

Why Does an NPCC Freedom of Information Letter Come From Fareham?

The NPCC’s National Police Freedom of Information and Data Protection Unit uses PO Box 481 for certain correspondence. Official NPCC FOI responses have displayed the Fareham address.

Can You Visit PO Box 481 Fareham in Person?

A PO Box is a postal correspondence address rather than a public-facing customer service office. Do not travel to the address expecting to speak directly with ACRO or NPCC staff.

How Can You Verify a Letter Claiming to Be From ACRO?

Check the organisation name, reference number, purpose of the letter and contact information. Then compare those details with the official ACRO website before sending personal information, documents or payment.

Does Receiving a Letter From PO Box 481 Mean You Have a Criminal Record?

No. The address is used for several purposes including information requests, complaints, FOI matters and administrative correspondence. The contents of the letter determine why you have been contacted.

Can a Scam Letter Use a Genuine ACRO Postal Address?

Yes. Fraudsters can copy a legitimate organisation’s name and postal address. A genuine PO Box therefore does not prove that every letter displaying it is authentic.

Do You Need an ACRO Police Certificate for Overseas Visas?

Some foreign governments, embassies and immigration authorities require Police Certificates for particular visa, residency or immigration applications. Requirements differ between countries, so applicants should check the rules for their destination and visa category.

Does an ACRO Police Certificate Need an Apostille?

It depends on the requirements of the organisation or country receiving the certificate. GOV.UK confirms that ACRO Police Certificates for England and Wales can be legalised, but they are not eligible for an electronic e-Apostille. Where legalisation is required, the appropriate paper-based apostille process must be followed.