Privacy Policy

Who we are

The Ditch is a local news and information website covering Redditch and Worcestershire. For the purposes of this privacy policy, “we”, “us” and “our” refers to The Ditch.

If you need to contact us about privacy or data protection, email: hello@theditch.co.uk.

What information we may collect

We may collect personal information when you contact us, send in a story, submit an event, respond to our content, or use forms on the website.

This may include:

• Your name.
• Your email address.
• Your phone number, if you choose to provide it.
• Details you send to us in messages, emails, forms, photographs, documents or attachments.
• Information about events, businesses, community groups or organisations you submit for publication.
• Technical information such as IP address, browser type, device information and website usage data.

How we collect information

We may collect information when:

• You email us directly.
• You submit a story, event, photograph, correction, comment or business information.
• You contact us through the website.
• You interact with The Ditch on social media.
• You visit the website and cookies or analytics tools are active.

Why we use your information

We may use personal information to:

• Respond to enquiries.
• Review information, tips, photographs or documents sent to us.
• Publish local news, events, notices, business updates and community information.
• Verify information before publication.
• Manage corrections, complaints or requests.
• Improve the website and understand how people use it.
• Protect the website from spam, misuse or security threats.

Our lawful basis for using information

Depending on the situation, we may rely on one or more lawful bases for using personal information.

• Consent: where you choose to send information to us or agree to receive something from us.
• Legitimate interests: where we use information to operate a local news and information website, respond to enquiries, consider submissions, or protect the site from misuse.
• Legal obligation: where we need to keep or share information to comply with the law.

News, photographs and public interest content

As a local news and information website, we may receive information, photographs or documents from members of the public, organisations, businesses, public bodies or other sources.

Where content is considered for publication, we will take reasonable care before publishing personal information. In some cases, information may be used because there is a legitimate public interest in local reporting, accountability, public notices, events, community safety, or matters affecting people in Redditch and Worcestershire.

Event and business submissions

If you submit an event, business listing, public notice or community update, we may use the details provided to create, edit, publish or promote that listing.

Information intended for publication may include names of organisations, venues, organisers, business contact details, event details, website links, email addresses, phone numbers and social media pages.

Cookies and analytics

This website may use cookies or similar technologies to help the site work properly, improve performance, understand visitor activity, or support embedded content from third party services.

Cookies may collect technical information such as device type, browser type, pages visited and approximate usage patterns. Where non essential cookies are used, visitors may be asked to consent where required.

Embedded content and third party services

Pages on this website may include embedded content or links from other websites, such as maps, videos, social media posts, ticketing pages, booking links or external news sources.

These third party websites may collect information about you, use cookies, or track your interaction with their content. Their use of personal information is controlled by their own privacy policies.

Who we may share information with

We may share information where necessary with:

• Website hosting, security, email, analytics or technical service providers.
• Event organisers, venues or businesses where a submission relates to them.
• Professional advisers, regulators or public authorities where required.
• Law enforcement or legal bodies where there is a lawful reason to do so.

We do not sell personal information.

How long we keep information

We keep personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the reason it was collected.

As a general guide:

• General enquiries may be kept for as long as needed to respond and manage follow up.
• Story, event or business submissions may be kept for editorial, record keeping or publication purposes.
• Published material may remain available unless there is a valid reason to remove or amend it.
• Technical and analytics data may be kept according to the settings of the relevant service provider.

Your rights

Depending on the circumstances, you may have rights under data protection law. These may include the right to:

• Ask for a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Ask us to correct inaccurate information.
• Ask us to delete information in certain circumstances.
• Ask us to restrict how information is used.
• Object to certain uses of your information.
• Withdraw consent where consent is the lawful basis.
• Complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

To make a privacy request, email hello@theditch.co.uk. We may need to verify your identity before dealing with a request.

Corrections and removal requests

If you believe information published by The Ditch is inaccurate, unfair, outdated or should be reviewed, contact us with the page link and a clear explanation of the issue.

We will review requests carefully, but we may not remove material where there is a legitimate reason for it to remain published.

Security

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information. However, no website, email system or online service can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Changes to this policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Any changes will be published on this page.

Contact

For privacy questions, corrections or requests, contact:

Email: hello@theditch.co.uk