FOI reference: FOI-2026-3559
You asked
Please provide all data held by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) relating to prosecutions arising from non-compliance with the 2021 census, including but not limited to:
The total number of prosecutions brought for failure to complete or return a 2021 census questionnaire.
The number of convictions and acquittals resulting from such prosecutions.
The range and types of penalties imposed on those convicted (e.g. fines, amounts awarded).
The number of cases where prosecution was initiated but subsequently discontinued, and the reasons for discontinuation where recorded.
Any data on the demographic or geographic breakdown of those prosecuted, where held.
We said
Thank you for your request.
You have asked for all data held by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) relating to prosecutions arising from non-compliance with the 2021 census.
To comprehensively search for, locate, extract and collate all of the requested information would exceed the cost limit for FOI requests. As such, Section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) applies. However, you may find the following information of interest.
A summary of the non-compliance process and prosecutions is included in section 4.12 of the General Report for Census 2021 in England and Wales, published in June 2025 and available for download from the Census 2021 general report full version page.
The non-compliance operation was designed to maximise census completion across England and Wales by following up people who had previously refused to take part. Persistent refusal cases would be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for prosecution. The maximum penalty for refusal to take part was a fine of £1,000, plus court costs. Letters and visits to addresses that had refused to complete, offering support and assistance attempted to convert refusals into completed questionnaires. Further detail on these stages is set out in the General Report.
The ONS subsequently put forward 18 cases to the CPS for consideration for prosecution. Following a review by CPS, this was reduced to 7 to be taken forward to prosecution. Of the 7 cases, one individual completed a census return prior to the court hearing; the remaining 6 cases were found guilty in court and all fined up to £1000.
The 7 cases were heard at the following Magistrates Courts:
Chelmsford – 7 December 2021
Chelmsford – 7 December 2021
Leeds – 14 December 2021
Nottingham – 16 December 2021
Barnsley – 4 January 2022
Peterlee – 21 January 2022
Brighton – 28 January 2022
You may also be interested in our Freedom of Information request response in relation to prosecutions for the 2011 Census.