Ghosts and pet fish are two of the stranger subjects West Mercia Police has been asked about under the Freedom of Information Act.

The requests must be answered by law and can be submitted on any subject the applicant thinks the authority they write to might have information on.

Among the most recent requests to the force, which covers Shropshire, was one from somebody asking how many complaints West Mercia received about haunted buildings.

Another asked about fish tanks in police buildings.

Spokesman Richard Ewels said since the beginning of April 220 requests to the force under the Act had been received.

Among the more bizarre requests was one about haunted police buildings received in March.

It asked: “How many complaints has your organisation received from either your employees or members of the public about ‘haunted’ buildings, ghosts or other paranormal phenomena in your premises or in buildings managed by you? Please provide figures for the past ten years.”

The reply states there has been one complaint about haunted police buildings.

Describing the action tak- en the reply states: “CCTV and site officers deployed. Individual reassured that there was no issue.”

The action taken by police did not result in any financial cost and the reply did not say which part of the fo- rce area the building was in.

Another request asked for information about fish tanks in police buildings.

The reply stated: “I write in connection with your request for information which was received on January 20.

“As advised, we have contacted our five divisions and 16 headquarters departments at your request to identify information relevant to your request.

“There is one privately owned goldfish bowl containing two goldfish, purchased by a member of staff, in Shrewsbury. There are no costs to the force associated with this

“There is a fish tank in Herefordshire which was taken in at the police station after the owner, who was a local resident, passed away. There are no costs to the force associated with this.

“There is one privately owned fish tank in one of the headquarters buildings. There are no costs to the force associated with this.”

Responses to requests are available to view at www. westmercia.police.uk/free dom-of-information.html