A review is taking place of files related to people and companies that allegedly failed to comply with statistics legislation, the Director of Public Prosecutions has announced.

The Statistics Act 2002 “empowers the Department of Statistics to conduct surveys and censuses and to collect important economic, demographic, social and other information necessary for Bermuda’s planning and development”, a DPP statement said.

Cindy Clarke, the DPP, explained: “Reliable statistical information is essential to good governance.

“When individuals or companies fail to provide information lawfully required under the Statistics Act, it undermines Bermuda’s ability to plan properly, allocate resources fairly and make evidence-based decisions in the public interest.”

The statement said that inaccurate or incomplete data can affect how the Government understands needs, directs resources and shapes future policy.

It added: “For Bermuda as a whole, failure to comply with lawful statistical obligations can weaken national planning, distort economic and social indicators, and reduce the reliability of information used by the Government, businesses, investors, researchers and international partners.

“A strong statistical framework supports transparency, accountability and informed decision-making across the country.”

The DPP will independently review each file and will only prosecute after considering the evidence and public interest.