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FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 420-2023
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 17th April 2023, and clarification received on the same date.
Please accept my sincere apologies for the delay in providing the response to your request and for any inconvenience this may have caused you. Please find your questions and the Warwickshire Police responses set out below.
In consideration of the climate crisis, I would like to request the following information about how the organisation is enabling staff to reduce their emissions through sustainable transport, and more specifically, cycling.
1) over the past five years, broken down by year -
a) how many staff members used the Cycle to Work scheme?
Q1a response: 9. Please note that the scheme started on 01/04/23
Q1b response: 0.37%
Q1c response: £902.11
Q1d response: Not applicable, the scheme started 01/04/23
2) what tools does the organisation use to encourage cycling for their staff -
a) on a work basis
Q2a response: Marketing and roadshows where Halfords come on site and promote.
Q2b response: Please see response to Q2a
3) with regards to staff, does the organisation -
Q3)a)i) response: No Information held
Q3)a)ii) response: No Information held
Q3b response: No Information held
4) how many of the following does the organisation have available for staff use
On 17th April 2023 we requested the following clarification from you:
Regarding Question 4 – Do you mean with regards to getting to work OR for use at work for work purposes?
On 17th April you provided the following clarification:
Question 4 relates to work related activities while on the clock at work.
Response: Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 places two duties on public authorities. Unless exemptions apply, the first duty at section 1 (1) (a) is to confirm or deny whether the information specified in a request is held. The second duty at section 1(1) (b) is to disclose information that has been confirmed as being held.
Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires Warwickshire Police, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to you the applicant with a notice which
(a) states that fact,
(b) specifies the exemption in question and
(c) states (if that would not otherwise be apparent) why the exemption applies.
I can confirm that Warwickshire Police do hold the information requested; however, the following exemption applies to information relating to vehicles in specialised roles.
Section 31(1)(a)(b) – Law Enforcement
Section 31 exemption is a prejudice-based qualified exemption and as such, there is a requirement to evidence the harm disclosure would cause and to carry out a public interest test.
Harm
Unmarked vehicles used in certain specialised roles are unmarked for the specific purpose of being unidentifiable. There are concerns associated with the release of any information that would identify any unmarked vehicles in such roles, or in any role which could lead to the compromise of law enforcement. Disclosing details of such vehicles, together with other information already in the public domain would assist those intent on criminal behaviour in identification of such vehicles. This would render those vehicles useless for future use in such roles and would therefore hinder the prevention and detection of crime and could compromise ongoing and future operations.
Disclosure of information in relation to some specialised marked vehicles would enable criminals to map resources across the Force and therefore increase the likelihood of crime being committed in specific areas. The release of this information in relation to police vehicles and policing activities would equip individuals involved in criminal activity with an indication of our capabilities. This information, together with other information already in the public domain would assist those involved in criminal behaviour in identifying specialist vehicles. This in turn would hinder the prevention and detection of crime and could compromise ongoing and future enquiries.
Public Interest Test
Section 31 - Factors Favouring Disclosure
The public have an interest in knowing how public funds are being utilised.
Disclosure may add value to the accuracy of public debate with regards to resources allocated for the prevention and detection of crime.
Section 31 - Factors Against Disclosure
The Police Service has a duty to ensure that the prevention and detection of crime, apprehension or prosecution of offenders, and administration of justice is carried out appropriately and effectively.
Disclosure of details in relation to unmarked/marked vehicles used in certain specialised roles would assist those intent on criminal activity to identify vehicles used by Warwickshire Police. This would allow them to adjust their behaviour to evade detection which would compromise the tactical effectiveness of using such vehicles and hinder the prevention or detection of crime. Conversely, this could also lead to the targeting of specific vehicles. Therefore, disclosure could provide a tactical advantage to offenders which would negatively impact upon the safety of the public and officers, and undermine the policing purpose.
Balance Test
For a public interest test, issues that favour disclosure need to be measured against issues that favour non-disclosure.
Whilst the value of accountability and the right for the public to know how funds are spent is recognised, there is no further tangible benefit to the public interest in identifying information in relation to vehicles in such roles. The ability to deliver effective law enforcement is of paramount importance and Warwickshire Police will not divulge information if to do so would have an adverse effect on the force’s ability to prevent and detect crime. To disclose the details of specialised unmarked vehicles and/or certain marked vehicles, would not only affect the forces ability to prevent and detect crime or apprehend offenders, but it would also impact upon its core responsibility of protecting the community it serves and its officers.
Therefore, on balance, it is considered that the public interest in providing the information is outweighed by the potential impact release would have on future law enforcement activities and this represents a refusal notice for information in relation to information held in relation to any such vehicles.
Please find information I am able to provide set out below:
Q4a response: No accurate recorded information held. Upon receipt of your request enquiries were made with the Fleet Department and records showed that there were 76 bicycles across the force. However, this was later determined as being out of date and incorrect, and that the correct number is currently not recorded; however, this is something that is expected to be collated in the future.
Q4b response: None
Q4c response: Please see the below table for makes and models of vehicles and engine type.
Q4d response: Please see the below table for makes and models of vehicles and engine type.
Q4e response: Please see the below table for makes and models of vehicles and engine type.
Q4f response: Please see the below table for makes and models of vehicles and engine type.
Q4g response: Please see the below table for makes and models of vehicles and engine type.
Q4h response: Please see the below table for makes and models of vehicles and engine type.
Make |
Model |
Fuel Type |
Total |
PEUGEOT |
308 |
DIESEL |
20 |
BMW |
330 X DRIVE |
DIESEL |
1 |
BMW |
530 |
DIESEL |
1 |
BMW |
530 X DRIVE |
DIESEL |
7 |
VAUXHALL |
ASTRA |
DIESEL |
65 |
TOYOTA |
AVENSIS |
DIESEL |
1 |
PEUGEOT |
BOXER |
DIESEL |
2 |
KIA |
CEE'D |
DIESEL |
1 |
FORD |
CONNECT |
DIESEL |
2 |
VAUXHALL |
CORSA |
DIESEL |
18 |
VOLKSWAGEN |
CRAFTER |
DIESEL |
2 |
PEUGEOT |
EXPERT |
DIESEL |
9 |
SKODA |
FABIA |
DIESEL |
6 |
YAMAHA |
FJR 1300 |
UNLEADED |
2 |
FORD |
FOCUS |
DIESEL |
2 |
KAWASAKI |
GTR |
UNLEADED |
6 |
TOYOTA |
HI-LUX |
DIESEL |
1 |
HYUNDAI |
i20 |
UNLEADED |
12 |
HYUNDAI |
i30 |
DIESEL |
11 |
HYUNDAI |
i40 |
DIESEL |
1 |
FORD |
KUGA |
DIESEL |
10 |
MITSUBISHI |
L200 |
DIESEL |
1 |
NISSAN |
NAVARA |
DIESEL |
1 |
SKODA |
OCTAVIA |
DIESEL |
1 |
SKODA |
RAPID |
DIESEL |
4 |
FORD |
S MAX |
DIESEL |
2 |
MERCEDES |
SPRINTER |
DIESEL |
9 |
SKODA |
SUPERB |
DIESEL |
2 |
SKODA |
SUPERB |
UNLEADED |
9 |
YAMAHA |
TRACER 900 DX |
UNLEADED |
1 |
FORD |
TRANSIT |
DIESEL |
8 |
VOLVO |
V90 |
HYBRID |
2 |
VAUXHALL |
VIVARO |
DIESEL |
15 |
BMW |
X1 |
DIESEL |
1 |
VOLVO |
XC60 |
DIESEL |
1 |
SKODA |
YETI |
DIESEL |
1 |
Grand total |
238 |
5) does the organisation mileage scheme clearly state the claim rate for cycling
Q5 response: No, there is none
6) how many cycling miles have been claimed by the organisation's staff in the past five years
Q6 response: None
7) Regarding your current cycle to work scheme -
Q7a response: Salary sacrifice
Q7b response: £2500
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is as accurate as possible.
Your attention is drawn to the below which details your right of complaint.
Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write or email the Freedom of Information Unit quoting the reference number above.
Yours sincerely
Freedom of Information Officer
Freedom of Information Unit
Warwickshire Police
PO Box 4
Leek Wootton
Warwickshire
CV35 7QB